Banzai Attacks, Zero Gains: How the Pokrovsk Direction Turned Into a Dead End for Russian Forces

The Pokrovsk direction has once again emerged as the epicentre of fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, accounting for more than 40 combat clashes in the past 24 hours — more than any other section of the frontline.

In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled enemy assault attempts near the settlements of Shakhove, Fedorivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, and Udachne, as well as toward Filia and Novopavlivka.

According to the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian troops are attempting to break through to the northern part of Pokrovsk, above the railway line. Recently, the 25th Separate Air Assault Sicheslav Brigade, part of the 7th Corps, repelled an attack involving more than 20 Russian soldiers and destroyed the assault group.

The enemy is also attempting to conduct active operations in the industrial zone on the city’s northwestern outskirts. Their objective is to amass forces for a further advance toward Hryshyne. However, Ukrainian Defence Forces are acting pre-emptively, using strike UAVs and artillery to prevent the enemy from concentrating troops and equipment or launching offensive operations.

In the area of responsibility of the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade, Russian forces attempted a large-scale assault using armoured vehicles. The enemy deployed tanks and armoured vehicles supported by infantry. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of Ukrainian engineers, artillery units, and unmanned systems operators, the assault was repelled.

The enemy sustained significant losses during the failed attack. Ukrainian forces destroyed two tanks and two armoured vehicles, while 59 Russian troops were eliminated.

The battle for Pokrovsk is increasingly evolving into a struggle over logistics and resources — a dynamic that continues to exhaust Russian forces.

By mid-January 2026, the Russian military’s repeated claims of having taken full control of Myrnohrad and Rodynske, let alone Pokrovsk, have proven to be disconnected from reality. This underscores that the Ukrainian Defence Forces are not only containing further enemy advances but are also conducting successful counterattacks in certain sectors.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have carried out a series of successful counterattacks in the Rodynske area, preventing Russian forces from taking control of the city itself as well as key Ukrainian logistical routes.

Recently, Ukrainian forces eliminated another Russian stronghold inside Rodynske. The operation was conducted by fighters of the Omega-West special forces unit, with support from units of the National Guard of Ukraine.

Despite unfavourable weather conditions and the limited ability to fully employ the so-called “wall of drones” tactic, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to maintain control over the situation.

Over the past week alone, Russian forces have made three attempts to break through Ukrainian defences in the Dobropillia direction, using armoured vehicles. These assaults were largely frontal in nature and resulted in heavy losses in both personnel and equipment. Russian sources themselves have reportedly acknowledged the near-suicidal character of these attacks.

Nearly two years of fighting in the Pokrovsk direction have turned this section of the front into one of the most costly for the Russian army. During this period, Russian forces have lost approximately 1,000 armoured vehicles, including more than 500 tanks.

Personnel losses in the Pokrovsk direction have also been catastrophic. They are among the highest suffered by Russian forces anywhere along the front and are comparable in scale to the manpower strength of the entire Leningrad Military District. According to Western intelligence assessments, Russian losses in this direction alone reached around 25,000 personnel in October, figures that include losses officially acknowledged by the Russian side.

Documented cases indicate that Russian assault groups have been forced to surrender to Ukrainian forces, while Russian FPV drone operators have, in some instances, struck their own servicemen.

There are recorded episodes in which Russian FPV drones targeted Russian soldiers attempting to surrender to the Ukrainian Defence Forces, effectively resulting in personnel being killed by their own side.

At the same time, despite Russian propaganda claims of having established full control over the city, Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to hold parts of Pokrovsk.

According to data released by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces maintain stable control over approximately 16 square kilometres of Pokrovsk, out of the city’s total area of around 29 square kilometres, despite persistent disinformation campaigns from the Russian side.

The main fighting is currently concentrated around Russian attempts to break through to key Ukrainian logistical routes. To support these efforts, Russia has redeployed units of the 76th Airborne Division from the Zaporizhzhia direction to the Pokrovsk direction.

Even Russia’s most combat-ready units are being committed to so-called “banzai attacks,” effectively used as expendable assault forces. This further underscores the falsity of claims that Pokrovsk has been captured.

Notably, Russian military bloggers have already begun walking back earlier reports that claimed Russian control over Myrnohrad.

Ukrainian Defence Forces remain present in Myrnohrad, maintaining control over the city centre and key locations required for personnel rotation. Claims by Russian sources of full control or tactical successes are part of an information campaign rather than a reflection of the situation on the ground.

The purpose of such statements is to create an illusion of battlefield success for external audiences.

This information effort appears aimed primarily at a single audience — the President of the United States — to project imaginary gains and strengthen Russia’s negotiating position to advance its preferred scenario for ending the war.

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