ISW: Ukraine keeps operating in Myrnohrad, Russian presence confirmed in 49% of the city

Based on available combat footage, Ukrainian forces continue to resist Russian advances in the Pokrovsk-Myrhohrad urban agglomeration area, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

Ukrainian troops still operate inside Rodynske, while Russian activity in Myrnohrad remains limited

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that it observed "recent open-source evidence" to assess that "Ukrainian forces maintain a presence in Rodynske and that Russian forces have operated within less than half of Myrnohrad."

Geolocated footage released on 28 December shows Ukrainian troops in northern Rodynske, adjacent to northern Myrnohrad, maintaining "the ability to operate in the settlement." Meanwhile, an earlier footage from 27 December shows Russian troops in northern Myrnohrad. 

ISW said additional geolocated footage published on 27 December shows Russian forces “raising flags” at several locations in northern Myrnohrad and central Rodynske. The think tank assessed the actions as Russian “infiltration missions” that “did not change control of terrain or the forward edge of battle area.”

"ISW has only observed evidence indicating a Russian presence (either through infiltration missions or assaults) within only 49 percent of Myrnohrad," the think tank wrote.

The think tank confirmed the Russian advances near Pokrovsk and Huliaipole.

Pokrovsk under siege but still holding

The Ukrainian General Staff stated on 27 December that Russian forces have not seized Myrnohrad and continue to fall short of taking Pokrovsk. Notably, fighting has raged inside Pokrovsk for nearly 150 days. On 28 December, Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces confirmed that their troops still hold positions in northern Pokrovsk, pushing back against narratives suggesting the city's fall.