A Ukrainian tank near the town of Pokrovsk. Photo: Wolfgang Schwan / Anadolu/Abacaapress.com

The Russian army continues its attempts to surround Pokrovsk from the southern and northern directions, but all enemy plans are failing. This was reported by the spokesman for the Khortytsia operational and strategic grouping of troops Viktor Tregubov on Friday, 24 January.

According to him, the Russians became more active in the Pokrovske direction, trying to use their numerical superiority to break through the defensive lines of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the settlements of Vodiane Druhe, Yelizavetivka, Myroliubivka, Uspenivka, Promin, Novooleksandrivka, Dachne and Ulakly.

“They are trying to outflank the city and cut it off from logistics, but these attempts have so far been effectively repelled. Their plan to encircle the city is still far from being implemented,” Tregubov said.

Despite active shelling of the city, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding the line. The situation in other parts of the frontline is also stable:

• In the Kupyansk sector, the enemy unsuccessfully attacked in the areas of Dvorichna, Zahryzove, Nova Kruhlyakivka and Petropavlivka.
• In the Liman sector, the occupants conducted offensive actions near Kopanivka, Yampolivka and Ivan-Daryivka. Here, Ukrainian troops destroyed two armoured personnel carriers, two buggies and enemy tanks.
• At the Kramatorsk and Toretsk directions, Russian troops stormed Ukrainian positions in Chasovyi Yar and Toretsk, but were unsuccessful.

Defence forces continue to deter attacks and maintain control of key positions.