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  • Russian saboteurs tried to sneak into Donetsk’s Pokrovsk—Ukrainian troops erased them, Syrskyi says
    Russian saboteurs tried to infiltrate Ukrainian lines in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian troops intercepted and eliminated them, Ukraine’s top general Syrskyi confirmed. The attack came amid intensifying fighting across Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv oblasts, as Russian forces press multiple axes of advance. Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s military operations aimed at seizing all of Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast intensified around Pokrovsk in February 2025, with multiple units
     

Russian saboteurs tried to sneak into Donetsk’s Pokrovsk—Ukrainian troops erased them, Syrskyi says

19 juillet 2025 à 04:02

russian saboteurs tried sneak donetsk's pokrovsk—ukrainian troops erased syrskyi says territorial control near pokrovsk donetsk oblast 18 2025 direction infiltrate ukrainian lines intercepted eliminated ukraine's top general confirmed attack came

Russian saboteurs tried to infiltrate Ukrainian lines in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian troops intercepted and eliminated them, Ukraine’s top general Syrskyi confirmed. The attack came amid intensifying fighting across Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv oblasts, as Russian forces press multiple axes of advance.

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s military operations aimed at seizing all of Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast intensified around Pokrovsk in February 2025, with multiple units redeployed to reinforce this direction. The focus then shifted toward Kostiantynivka, but the main push now appears to have returned to Pokrovsk.

Russian saboteurs in Pokrovsk eliminated during failed incursion

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian saboteurs in Pokrovsk attempted to breach Ukrainian defenses on 18 July. The group, described as a DRG — diversionary and reconnaissance group, failed to reach the city. Ukrainian defenders spotted them in time and destroyed the entire group.

According to Syrskyi, Russia continues using small infantry groups to try and seize Pokrovsk. Russia mostly switched to these tactics after years of costly frontal “meat-wave” attacks. 

Syrskyi posted the update at 22:07 on 18 July via Telegram. He said Ukrainian troops “courageously repel intensified pressure and destroy the Russian aggressor” along the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka axes. These fronts in Donetsk Oblast were the main focus of his report to President Zelenskyy, who also serves as Ukraine’s supreme commander.

Ukrainian units credited with stopping Russian sabotage team

Syrskyi named several units that contributed to Ukraine’s recent defensive success. He highlighted the 59th Assault Brigade and Special Operations Forces operating on the Pokrovsk axis.

Situation in the area of Pokrovsk as of 18 July 2025, according to Deep State. The reported Russian advancements are further south from Pokrovsk.
Situation in the area of Pokrovsk as of 18 July 2025, according to Deep State. The reported Russian advancements are further south from Pokrovsk.

He also praised units on other fronts. These include the 225th Separate Assault Regiment and 95th Air Assault Brigade in the Siversk direction (northeastern Ukraine), the 3rd Assault Brigade near Kupiansk (Kharkiv Oblast), and the 82nd Air Assault Brigade and 14th National Guard Brigade near Dobropillia (Donetsk Oblast).

Additionally, the 5th Assault Brigade and elements of the 225th Regiment fought in the Novopavlivka direction, which Syrskyi also called a high-pressure area.

Ukrainian forces counter Russian gains across several fronts

According to an 18 July report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces “recently advanced near Pokrovsk” and in northern Sumy Oblast. ISW classifies Pokrovsk as part of Russia’s Subordinate Main Effort—aiming to capture all of Donetsk Oblast and potentially push into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

The ISW also noted that the Ukrainian forces have advanced near Novopavlivka, while the Russians in northern Sumy Oblast.

Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState reported similar activity. On 18 July, it noted Russian advances near Voskresenka, Zelenyi Hai, and Yablunivka—all in Donetsk Oblast.

On 19 July, DeepState added that Russian troops had occupied a different Yablunivka in Sumy Oblast. They also advanced near Yunakivka (Sumy Oblast), Khatnie (northeastern Kharkiv Oblast), as well as Romanivka and Toretsk (Donetsk Oblast).

 

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