Ukraine's Operation Task Force East reported on 4 March that Russian forces are massing reserves near Donetsk Oblast's Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad ahead of a fresh escalation. Over the previous month, Ukrainian units defending the agglomeration reportedly killed or wounded more than 1,000 Russian troops and destroyed significant quantities of enemy equipment.
Russian buildup signals fresh push near Pokrovsk
The situation around the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration remains difficult, according to the grouping of forces. Ukrainian defenders are detecting signs that Russian forces are preparing to intensify offensive operations by deploying accumulated reserves. Russian airstrikes on the area have also increased, alongside heavier use of other fire assets.
Russia is continuing efforts to fully seize both Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. Ukrainian units remain dug in along the northern edges of both towns, the report says.
Over February, defenders of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration killed or wounded more than 1,000 Russian troops, the task force reported. They also destroyed or damaged 38 guns and mortars, 4 armored vehicles, 5 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and 84 soft-skinned and motorized vehicles.
Two-direction assault on Hryshyne
Russian forces are concentrating efforts on the village of Hryshyne, northwest of Pokrovsk. The East grouping says Russian troops are simultaneously storming Hryshyne from the north and south while trying to break into its central part.
On the broader Pokrovsk axis, Russian forces launched 10 assault attempts by 18:00 on 4 March. Fighting was reported near Nikanorivka, Rodynske, Udachne, Muravka, and Molodetske, and toward Chervonyi Lyman, with four engagements still ongoing at that time.
Fighting across the Eastern sector
The task force says Russian forces attacked across multiple directions during the day. In the Sloviansk direction, the occupiers made three attempts to advance toward Dronivka and Rai-Oleksandrivka. In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces attacked three times toward Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bondarne, and Mykolaivka, with one engagement still ongoing. In the Kostiantynivka direction, Russian troops launched eight offensive actions near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Illinivka, Rusyn Yar, and Sofiivka.
Ukrainian forces are countering the Russian buildup through enhanced aerial reconnaissance, additional mining of likely advance routes, and systematic blocking of enemy logistics. Drone units, artillery, and aviation are actively engaged across the sector.
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