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, the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka has just fallen under Russian pressure. For two years, this fortress held out, holding back Putin's troops and preventing them from advancing further west. But now she is gone. While Kiev's troops are retreating chaotically , the people of Moscow are following, hoping to quickly pass through all this space and thereby bring victory closer for Putin. to capture Pokrovsk, a former mining town with a pre-war population of 60,000 that has been transformed into a military logistics hub. The capture of it and its sister city of Myrnograd will open the way to the approximately 50% of Donetsk Oblast that Russia does not currently control. Not giving Russia this trophy, or at least delaying its fall, would deprive
Putin of the victory he desperately needs and give Ukrainian defenders more time to prepare. What follows will be a two-year battle that will test the Ukrainian and Russian armies to the limits of their capabilities, forever changing the way war is waged. From tank attacks to motorized assault units and, finally, saboteur soldiers sneaking under a sky teeming with drones. This is the Battle of Pokrovsk, and this is the Battle Board. This is Donbas, the eastern region of Ukraine, consisting of Luhansk Oblast here and Donetsk Oblast here. This region is the industrial heart of Ukraine, home to many of its most valuable mines, steel industry, and largest factories. After Putin's failed attempt to capture the capital, Kyiv, seizing this region became the
main goal of his war. Before the full-scale invasion, Russia had already occupied part of this region through groups under its control-the so- called "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic." Since February 2022, this control zone has expanded significantly. This is the situation in February 2024. You see how troops from these fake republics, supported by the regular Russian army, advanced north, capturing almost the entire Luhansk region, and south, capturing Mariupol, and then through Zaporizhia toward Crimea. If you want to watch our episode about the Battle of Mariupol, the link is in the description below.
The only direction they haven't advanced in is the west. Therefore, capturing this territory is the number one priority for the Russian command. However, there are only a few small obstacles in their path. The first was the Ukrainian defense line, fortified around the city of Avdiivka, right here. Having been on the front lines since 2014, Avdiivka was transformed into a fortress by Ukrainian forces, who were able to hold it for two full years after the start of a full-scale invasion. But on February 16, 2024, the last Ukrainian defenders began a chaotic retreat under heavy Russian fire. And by February 18, Putin's men had occupied it, allowing his commanders to begin planning how to overcome the next
obstacle. This is another line of defense, stretching from the town of Liman at the northern edge of the line, through Chasiv Yar, located here, through Toretsk, located here, and then making a sharp turn west to the town of Pokrovsk at the southern edge of the line, right here. These cities were logistical bases for the front line in places like Bakhmut and Avdiivka, but now they have become the front line themselves. They are not as well protected. Ukraine had less time to prepare trenches and anti-tank traps, build bunkers, and lay minefields-all of which created problems for the Russians elsewhere. But containing the Russians on this line is important, if only to
protect the third and final line of defense, which is located here. This is known as the "belt of fortresses" of Ukraine. The line of well-defended terrain passes through the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka and Kostyantynivka. Located along the river, on high ground, and in dense urban development, Ukrainian troops in the rear need as much time as possible to prepare this line to withstand a Russian offensive. And it is precisely troops like those currently retreating from Avdiivka towards Pokrovsk that will have to provide this time. For its part, the Russian offensive plan looks something like this. First, a frontal breakthrough of the Ukrainian line in Toretsk and Chasovye Yar, which will open the way to Kostyantynivka,
the southernmost city in the "belt of fortresses." Once inside, Putin's troops will be able to begin the long, slow, and bloody task of capturing these cities one by one. At the same time, breakthroughs in Lyman in the north and Pokrovsk in the south will form pincers around the "belt of fortresses." Having broken through the Ukrainian line, these troops will advance simultaneously to the north and south, aiming to cut off the "belt of fortresses" from the rest of Ukraine like this. If this can be accomplished, there may be no need to capture these cities by force. Instead, the defenders, unable to obtain critical supplies such as water, food, and ammunition from the rest of Ukraine, will face a stark choice. Either surrender or die. This
would ensure the Russians a victory with far fewer losses than those that Ukraine intends to inflict on them. And it will give Putin control over the vast majority of Donbas, which he will then pass off as a victory in his war. From here, Russia will be able to threaten other major Ukrainian cities further west. Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and, finally, Kyiv. Therefore, the capture of Pokrovsk is of vital importance for the Russians. Stopping them, or at least slowing them down, is vitally important for Ukrainians. Everything is set for the start of one of the longest battles of the war, which will forever change the face of modern warfare.
Once thriving mining towns, home to a combined 110,000 people, now number only a few thousand. Due to their location, they have become a major logistical hub for Ukrainian forces throughout Donbas. Pokrovsk is a city at a crossroads, lying at the junction of at least six highways and as many railways. Two of them lead west, to the large Ukrainian-controlled cities of Zaporizhia and Dnipro. Two more lead to the north and east. Road T0504 leads to Toretsk and Chasovy Yar-two other towns on the same defense line as Pokrovsk. This road, T0515, and the railway track along it lead north towards the fortress belt, and south to the Ukrainian
strongholds of Andriyivka and Kurakhovo. Together, these five roads are the route by which Ukrainian troops receive supplies and rotate within the city. This axis, E50, leads towards Avdiivka and further to Donetsk and is one of the main axes of the Russian offensive. Another Russian axis of attack runs along this railway line, leading directly from Avdiivka to Pokrovsk through the villages of Progress and Ocheretyne. Now, on February 20, 2024, Ukrainian units in the area are trying to regroup after a hasty and bloody withdrawal from Avdiivka. On the northern flank of this line, defending the railway, are the 23rd and 31st Mechanized Brigades, along with several smaller territorial defense battalions. Formed during the 2023 counteroffensive, these brigades
are armed with a mix of old Soviet tanks, such as the T-64, as well as more modern Western equipment, such as the American MaxxPro. In the center, around the village of Berdychi, is the 47th Mechanized Brigade, supported by smaller special forces units and UAV units. Also formed during the 2023 counteroffensive, this brigade played a key role in the defense of Avdiivka and was one of the last to leave the city. They are armed with American equipment: Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Abrams tanks, although they have not yet used them in combat. A little further south, just north of the village of Tonenke, is the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. This is one of the
most combat-ready units in Ukraine; These fighters are veterans of the 2014 war, although they officially became part of the army only in 2022. They were transferred to Avdiivka at the last moment to help cover the retreat, using a mix of Soviet and Western equipment: T-72 tanks and BMPs alongside Humvees and MaxxPros. South of Tonenkoye are the 53rd and 110th mechanized brigades, which lead a number of smaller special forces and territorial defense forces. The 53rd Brigade is also a veteran of the 2014 war, and uses old Soviet equipment, such as infantry fighting vehicles and T-64 tanks. The 110th brigade is newer. Formed in 2022, it was hardened in the battles for Avdiivka.
No other unit defended the city longer than it. These soldiers use a mix of modern Western and outdated Soviet equipment: Dutch YPR armored vehicles and BMPs. And here, on the southern edge of the front line, defending the E50 highway, stand the 56th and 59th motorized infantry brigades. Both of these brigades are also veterans of the 2014 war with Russia and use similar equipment: BTR armored personnel carriers and T-64 tanks. Opposing them are Russian units such as the 15th and 21st Motorized Rifle Brigades, advancing along this railway. Before the war, the 15th Brigade participated in UN peacekeeping operations, but in Ukraine it was they who led the Russian attacks on Avdiivka.
Meanwhile, the 21st Brigade has extensive combat experience: it fought in Ukraine in 2014 and in Syria in 2016. She also led the offensive on Kyiv at the beginning of the 2022 war. Both use Soviet infantry fighting vehicles and T-72 tanks. Further, in the center of the front line, near Berdychiv, are the 30th and 114th Motorized Rifle Brigades. The 30th Brigade also passed through Syria and was among the first units to enter combat during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, fighting in Luhansk Oblast. Meanwhile, the 114th Brigade was previously part of the "DPR" army before being absorbed by the regular Russian Armed Forces, meaning that many of these fighters are likely from Ukraine. The 30th Brigade uses armored personnel carriers, while the 114th
uses similar but slightly less sophisticated equipment, such as the MT-LB. The offensive on Tonenkoe is led by the 1st Motorized Rifle Brigade. This is also a remnant of the " DPR" army, now incorporated into the regular Russian army, and it uses similar equipment, such as Tank Division, currently in reserve and armed with Soviet T-72 tanks, as well as much more modern variants such as the T-90 and the BMPT Terminator, Russia's newest infantry fighting vehicle. Further, on the southern edge of the line, leading the offensive along the E50 highway, are the 9th and 35th separate motorized rifle brigades. The 9th Brigade is another former "DPR" unit that now serves as part of the regular army and uses armored vehicles such as the MT-LB, while the
35th's history dates back to World War II. They mostly use Soviet equipment, including armored personnel carriers and T-72 tanks. Estimates of numbers are quite rough, but Western analysts sympathetic to Ukraine report around 10,000 Russian attackers against 3,000 Ukrainian defenders. After the capture of Avdiivka on February 18, the initial Russian offensive from the city focused on breaking through the hastily organized Ukrainian defense line to the west of it. It passes through the small villages of Berdychi, Semenivka, Orlivka and Tonenke. It was here, in Berdychi, that the 47th Brigade first deployed its Abrams tanks. Delivered by America back in 2023, these machines were to become weapons that would ensure victory in the war. But within
a week of their appearance on the front lines, Abrams tanks were destroyed. These massive 72-ton tanks have proven easy prey for Russian drones, a trend that will only increase as the battle continues. Despite this, Ukraine's first line of defense held relatively well, holding back any significant Russian advance throughout March and April. However, in mid-April, the first cracks began to appear. First, the 90th Tank Division, brought out of reserve, and the 1st Motorized Rifle Brigade entered Tonenke, pushing back the 3rd, 53rd, and 110th brigades. Then, here, the 9th Motorized Rifle Brigade advanced towards the Avdiivka direction, forcing the 56th and 59th brigades to retreat to Netaylovoye. At this
point, the 53rd Brigade moved south to help block the road and was replaced in the center of the line by the 68th Jaeger Infantry Brigade. Meanwhile, the exhausted 110th Brigade was withdrawn from the front line to be replaced by the 25th Airborne Brigade. At about the same time, the 47th Brigade was also to be withdrawn from its positions to replace the 115th. But it quickly turned into a disaster, allowing Russia to make its first major breakthrough. On April 14, the 47th Brigade left its defensive positions around Berdychiv as scheduled, but replacement units never arrived. It didn't take long for soldiers of the Russian 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, observing via drone, to notice that the Ukrainian trenches were empty. They cannot believe
their luck and Over the next two days, the 30th Brigade managed to advance almost 6 kilometers towards the town of Ocheretyne, which is located on a strategically important height. By the standards of almost any other modern conflict, 3 kilometers per day is an extremely slow pace. But by the standards of this war, that's lightning fast. The bewildered Ukrainian generals are forced to launch a counterattack with the 100th Mechanized Brigade -one of the least experienced and worst equipped brigades in the entire army. This barely succeeds, and the Russian offensive stops on the western outskirts of Ocheretyne. But this prompts a major redeployment of Ukrainian forces in the area to stop any further breakthroughs.
First, the battle-weary 110th Brigade is brought back from reserve and thrown to the front line to contain the Russian advance. Then the 150th Brigade is removed from its positions, and in its place is sent the equally tired 47th, which is deployed on the southern edge of the Russian offensive, right here. The 23rd and 31st Brigades, which were forced to retreat from the railway, are also redeploying to this area, along with the 25th, which was transferred from the center. As well as units of the 61st Brigade, which were brought up from reserve and deployed here. However, this unit is understaffed, as most of its soldiers are being held for the Ukrainian offensive at Kursk, many miles to the north, which we will discuss in a moment
. The center of this line is still held by the 3rd Assault and 68th Chasseur Brigades, although they have now been joined by the 71st Chasseur Brigade. And on the southern edge of the line, the 53rd, 56th, and 59th brigades still remain. For its part, Russia is trying to exploit this breakthrough by throwing the 55th and 74th brigades into battle south of Ocheretyne. In early May, they were joined by the 35th Brigade, redeployed from the southern edge of the line after the advance there had stalled. They are partially successful. By mid- May, the 35th Brigade had advanced beyond the town into the villages on the other side, but the pace was already significantly slower than the initial breakthrough.
Instead, something else begins: Russian forces on other sections of the front begin to advance, taking advantage of the fact that Ukrainian troops are busy up here. The 21st Brigade, descending from the northern edge of the line, is now advancing in the center along with the 1st and 114th Motorized Rifle Brigades. And with the support of the 90th Tank, they advance further and capture the rest of the initial Ukrainian defense line. And then they start pushing towards the Vovcha River, right here. At the southern edge of the line, the 9th Motorized Rifle Division continues its advance along the E50, now advancing into Netailovo. The 1st Brigade is soon transferred here to help, and by mid-June the line is more or less level from north to south.
At this point, Russia's main offensive tactic is still a combination of tank assaults supported by glide bombs, the same tactic that helped capture Avdiivka. Gliding bombs are essentially large Soviet unguided aerial bombs that were dropped vertically from aircraft, modernized to be more accurate. Equipped with wings and a basic guidance kit, Russian fighters can launch them from afar, from behind the front line, and hit Ukrainian fortifications with enough accuracy to cause serious damage. As soon as the defenses are leveled, tanks and armored vehicles advance into the breach, forcing Ukrainian troops to retreat. Ukraine cannot do much against the hovering bombs yet, but to disrupt tank assaults, it is beginning to build a drone destruction zone
near the front. Simply put, it is a zone approximately 3 miles deep where any Russian tank or armored vehicle entering it is likely to be spotted by a drone and attacked. Ukraine began developing this tactic in Avdiivka to cope with an acute shortage of artillery shells due to a delay in aid from the US Congress, but it has proven so effective that the shells are now being abandoned in favor of drones, which are cheaper and far more deadly. However, the new tactic is not ideal. Drones are integrated into Ukrainian units situationally, which is why coordination between different units is sometimes weak. In early July, this leads to another Russian breakthrough. This time from Ocheretino towards the city of Progress. According to analysts, Ukrainian units in the
area, while trying to jam Russian drones, accidentally jammed their own, causing the drone defense to collapse. The 15th Motor Rifle Division advances to join the 55th and 74th, which are advancing together 30th and 35th, meanwhile, are advancing north. The 110th Brigade of Ukraine, which was understaffed and left without drone cover, is retreating under pressure. While the 100th Brigade was outflanked on the road and withdrawn from the fighting. The 31st, previously on the south side of the salient, found itself out of place on the north side, where it was surrounded and cut off by the Russians. Faced with a choice: surrender or make a risky breakthrough, these fighters decide to fight their way through, suffering
heavy losses in the process. The remains of the brigade are being withdrawn from the combat zone. In the south, the exhausted 47th Brigade is also reportedly collapsing and forced to retreat. The Russian 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade leads an attack on Pokrovsk and captures it, while soldiers are caught on video waving their arms in the city center. At that time, in early August, the Ukrainian command declared that the Pokrovsky direction had become the hottest section of the front. Ukraine desperately needs more men to defend this sector, but they are in short supply, because on August 4, Commander Syrsky, the general leading the Ukrainian army, sends most of the reserves to the Kursk region of Russia. This is a bold step. We've already
covered the first part of this battle, the link is in the description, so I won't repeat the details here. You should know what Syrsky hoped: an attack on Russia would force Putin to withdraw troops from the front here to defend his own territory. However, this did not happen. Russia is actually strengthening these units, and its advance is not slowing down, but accelerating. Russia's main targets now are the cities of Grodovka here and Novaya Grodovka here. After capturing them, they hope to use these two towns, located about 15 kilometers from Pokrovsk, for attacks on the city itself. The assault on Grodovka is led by the 30th
Motorized Rifle Brigade, which is advancing along this road, T0511, towards the town. Meanwhile, the 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade, which led the capture of Pokrovsk, is heading towards Novaya Grodovka along this key railway line. The 35th, 55th, and 74th Brigades, which have so far been at the forefront of this assault, are retreating to the rear and waiting in reserve. In the center, the 114th Motorized Rifle Brigade is making its way to the Vovcha River here, while the 90th Tank Brigade is doing the same a little further south. At the southern edge of the front line, the 1st and 9th Motorized Rifle Brigades continue their offensive along the E50 highway. On the Ukrainian side, many of the brigades that started this battle have
already been replaced, with fresh forces deployed instead. The defense of Grodovka is held by the recently introduced 151st Mechanized Brigade, along with the 71st Chasseurs Brigade, which was redeployed from the center. The 47th, one of the few brigades remaining from the beginning of the battle, is now defending Nova Grodovka here. A little further west, in the center of the line, are the 68th Chasseurs and 25th Airborne Brigades, now reinforced by the 117th Mechanized. And on the southern edge of the front line, the 59th Brigade now stands alone. According to Western analysts, there are currently about 40,000 Russians in this area, compared to only 12,000 Ukrainians. This allows Russia to exert pressure, using its advantage. By mid- August, the 30th
Motorized Rifle Brigade had advanced enough along this road to reach the outskirts of Khodorivka. Meanwhile, the 15th Motorized Rifle Division did the same here, in Novokhodorivka. At the end of August, the 15th Brigade entered Novokhodorivka amid reports that Ukrainians were leaving the city rather than fighting for it due to the enemy's fourfold superiority in manpower. Instead, the 47th Brigade retreats to defensive positions in this area. They are soon joined by the 71st and 151st, allowing the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade to advance into Khodorivka. But this is where this offensive stops. Ukrainian positions here are well prepared, and the open terrain favors their own drone tactics. Any Russian troops or armored vehicles advancing from Khodorivka and
Novokhodorivka are quickly detected and destroyed. Around this time, Russia is developing and implementing new tactics on this sector of the front. Assault units on motorcycles. These soldiers are like the opposite of tanks. The tank uses armor to protect the crew inside, but sacrifices speed for this. On a battlefield filled with drones, this is deadly dangerous. Motorcycle units sacrifice armor and instead use speed for protection. The idea is that by crossing the range of Ukrainian drones quickly enough, they can reach the other side before the drones spot and attack them. This tactic is primitive, but effective. And
at the end of August, the Russians make another breakthrough. Not directly towards Pokrovsk and Myrnograd, but south, towards Ukrainka and Selydovoye. In late August and early September, the 1st, 114th, and 90th Tank Brigades, along with several smaller battalions, crossed the Vovcha River. Using their new assault units, they managed to push the 25th, 68th, and 117th Brigades back behind the E50 highway. Then they bypass the 59th Brigade, fight their way through this road, and then here - to Ukrainka. The 59th Brigade was forced to withdraw due to the threat of encirclement, and by early October the 9th Motorized Rifle Brigade had joined other Russian units in this offensive. Together they capture Ukrainka, then deploy west towards
Selydove, which is now defended by the Ukrainian 68th and 117th Brigades. The 25th Brigade retreats to these defensive positions alongside the 47th, albeit briefly. Six months after this brigade was supposed to be withdrawn from the front lines, a replacement finally arrives-the 152nd Jaeger Brigade. As Ukrainian defenders are forced to retreat, Russia redoubles its efforts on this southern breakthrough. The 15th and 30th Motorized Rifle Brigades were redeployed to assist in the attack on Selidove. Meanwhile, the 35th, 55th, and 74th, which were in reserve, are being brought forward to take their places.
By the end of October, this pressure is making itself felt. The 15th Brigade advances south of Selidove, then turns around, partially surrounding it. Fearing encirclement, the 68th and 117th brigades retreat. The first takes positions on the line between Novogrodivka and Pokrovsk, and the second retreats to the southwest. Russia is still not having success west of Grodovka and Novogrodovka, so it is continuing its offensive on this southern flank. The 15th Brigade is now leading attacks along this railway line towards Shevchenko on the western outskirts of Pokrovsk. This location is located along Route T0515, one of the city's main supply routes, and within direct fire range of
Route T0406-another key route. In early December, the 15th Brigade begins advancing towards the outskirts of Shevchenko, which convinces Russia to bring in the 90th Panzer Division to support the offensive. By mid-December, the Institute for the Study of War estimates that Russia had captured it, cutting off that supply route and creating a serious threat to another. Pokrovsk is starting to look vulnerable, and the situation is about to get even worse. The 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade is now joined by the 30th, 55th, and 74th, transferred here to develop the breakthrough. They are being replaced by the newly arrived 61st Marine and 137th Motorized Rifle Brigades. Together they continue to press on the western flank of Pokrovsk, and by the
new year they reach the town of Kotlyarivka, right here. This cuts through the T0406 route and the railway that runs alongside it, and now puts the E50 route at risk. Like the hands of a clock approaching midnight, Russian forces are cutting Pokrovsk's supply arteries one by one. Ukraine is once again strengthening its defenses in a last-ditch attempt to save the city. The 152nd Chasseurs Brigade has been withdrawn, replaced by the 155th Mechanized Brigade, which is deployed at the forefront of the Russian offensive here. The 68th Jaeger Brigade guards the western approach to Pokrovsk, and the 25th Airborne is blocking this railway along with the newly arrived 5th
Assault and 38th Marine Brigades. Meanwhile, the 117th Brigade returned to battle and deployed here, blocking the eastern approaches to Myrnograd. But for the most part, Ukraine is improving its drone strike zone tactics. The depth of this zone has now roughly doubled from 3 to 6 miles thanks to advances in drone technology. Larger batteries allow drones to fly further, and signal repeaters on reconnaissance drones allow pilots to control them over longer distances. The zone has also become more deadly. Fiber-optic drones, first used by Russia and later by Ukraine, render electronic warfare (EW) useless, so more drones are hitting targets.
Nature also plays a role. It is the height of winter. The trees are leafless, so even Russian motorcycle units are quite easy to spot and hit. Cold makes injuries more deadly and movement more difficult. For all these reasons, the Ukrainian permutation works. Almost a year after Russia captured Avdiivka and began this rapid western offensive, the front line is stabilizing here. Ukraine even manages to launch several counterattacks, and the 25th Airborne Brigade recaptures the city of Kotelnya. But Putin's generals are just waiting for the weather to improve to launch a new assault. On the western edge of the line are the 15th, 74th,
and 30th Motorized Rifle Brigades, continuing attacks on the remnants of Pokrovsk's supply routes. The 35th Brigade takes up positions along the E50 highway-the main road to the city. Further east, the 61st and 137th brigades advance along the railway track and road T0511, respectively. Then, on the eastern edge of the line, the 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade leads a group of smaller regiments. Ukrainian analysts estimate this Russian group at 110,000 people, while data on Ukrainian units indicate approximately 18,000 defenders. In April, attacks resume, and at first this line holds. New Ukrainian drone strike zone proves successful
. However, this does not last long. The Russians' overwhelming numerical superiority guarantees this. In May, the front line shifts, and this time the breakthrough occurs not in the west, but in the east. The Russian 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade manages to break through the Ukrainian defenses south of Novopoltavka, here, by cutting the T0504 road. Three of, and the fourth is under threat as the Russians launch an offensive on Rodynske, right here, threatening the T0515 road. As elsewhere, Russia is bringing in reinforcements to exploit this breakthrough. The 9th Brigade, along with the newly arrived 39th and 110th Motorized Rifle Brigades. Ukraine is also deploying forces to defend this section of the line. The 117th Brigade is advancing to block the
northern edge of the offensive. The 82nd Airborne Brigade, as well as the 67th and 157th Mechanized Brigades, are deployed alongside it. The 38th Marine Brigade enters Mykolaivka along with the newly deployed 17th, 142nd, and 153rd Brigades. In the center, south of Pokrovsk, the 68th Chasseurs and 25th Airborne Brigades continue to hold the defense, while on the western flank are the 155th Mechanized and the recently transferred 32nd Brigades. However, this does not stop the Russian offensive, and throughout June and July the 5th, 9th, and 110th brigades approach the vicinity of Rodynske. Around August 10, the situation here becomes even more complicated. The 132nd Motorized Rifle Brigade, which has just arrived at the front, is
once again breaking through Ukrainian lines. Not towards Myrnograd or Pokrovsk, but north to Dobropillya, again creating a threat to this supply route. In just a few days, the troops manage to advance almost 10 miles behind the Ukrainian rear-a distance almost unheard of at this stage of the war. This is not due to numerical superiority, but to a new tactic of infiltration, an evolution of the motorcycle tactics we discussed earlier. We saw motorcycles overcome the drone strike zone, sacrificing armor for speed, hoping to slip by so quickly that the drones wouldn't have time to hit them. The infiltration tactic takes this logic one step further. The goal now is to not be noticed at all
Russian troops begin to advance in groups of two to four soldiers, hiding under tarpaulins or camouflage nets. Their goal is to pass through the zone without attracting the attention of the Ukrainians. Once they overcome the affected area, they can happening in Dobropillya. Russia immediately pulls up reinforcements. The 1st, 39th, and 114th Brigades attempt to exploit this breakthrough, but supply lines are already stretched too thin. Ukraine is deploying the Azov brigade to the area, which is quickly cutting off Russian forces at the forefront of this offensive. Soon these units find themselves surrounded and destroyed. However, this does not matter, because Russia has found the " Achilles heel" of the new Ukrainian drone strike zone. Thanks to this
infiltration tactic, they successfully attack and capture the city of Pokrovsk. Here is Pokrovsk and its sister city Myrnograd. The city is currently defended by the Ukrainian 32nd and 155th mechanized brigades, which are deployed on the western outskirts. In the south, the 68th Jaeger Brigade is blocking the E50 highway, and the 25th Airborne Brigade is blocking the railway line. In Myrnograd are the 17th and 153rd mechanized brigades, and a little further east, flanking the highway, are the 38th Marine Brigade and the 142nd Brigade. Russian forces are positioned like this. On the western edge of the line are the 15th, 30th, and 55th
Motorized Rifle Brigades. Advancing along the E50 road, the 35th Motorized Rifle Brigade is advancing, and along the railway, the 137th. The 61st Motorized Rifle Division is located a little south of Myrnograd, and a little north, on route T0504, is the 39th. Most of the events will take place here, on the southwestern outskirts of the city. And to show you what's going on, I'm going to break these brigades down into smaller units. The Ukrainian front line, here, as everywhere, is not a solid barrier of trenches and other defensive structures. It simply doesn't have enough soldiers for this. Instead, it is a series of separate defensive positions. These are buildings or bunkers in a city like this, or trenches if it were a rural
area. The gaps between these positions and the area several miles ahead are covered by a drone strike zone. It is this zone, not these soldiers, that is stopping the Russian advance. Any armored vehicles or motorcycles attempting to cross this zone are quickly detected and destroyed. But throughout June and July, the 35th and 74th Motorized Rifle Brigades begin to employ the same infiltration tactics as their comrades in the north. Using buildings as cover, the military sneaks into places like Zhelove, from where they can aim their own drones or glide bombs at Ukrainians.
Ukraine understands this and is introducing specialized assault brigades that can go from building to building, finding and destroying these Russian groups. It is effective, but at the same time dangerous and exhausting work. It takes much longer to displace Russian troops than it does for Russia to get its people there. So throughout August and September, Russian soldiers continue to arrive. By mid-October, approximately 250 Russian soldiers are believed to be, prompting airstrikes and drone strikes on our units. When Ukrainian observers are killed, drone pilots develop " blind spots" and the strike zone begins to collapse. When the zone collapses, it allows the Russians to advance in greater numbers, leading to even
greater degradation of the zone. By mid- November, the Russians are en masse breaking into Pokrovsk, using everything that can transport them. Buggies, motorcycles and civilian cars-like a scene from the movie " Mad Max." The affected area is now completely destroyed. It is no longer possible to understand where the Ukrainian lines end and the Russian ones begin. The entire city has turned into a " gray zone" where no one has clear control. As before, Ukraine is deploying special operations forces to try to drive the Russians out of the city. In particular, some of them were seen disembarking from Black Hawk helicopters, but the situation is already
too advanced. There are fight for every building or room. Ukrainian troops here are now under threat of encirclement and destruction. If we step back again, we will see this situation more clearly. We are back in Pokrovsk. This is where we left off in describing the battle. And here is the Russian advance into the city that we just saw. The E50 route, one of only two supply routes to Pokrovsk, is now under serious threat. The Russians do not control it, but they can fire on anything that moves along it. The same thing soon happens in Rodynske, where the Russian 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade uses the same infiltration tactics to penetrate the town and threaten the T0515 highway
. This is the situation as of early December 2025. You clearly see two pincers of Russian troops advancing around Pokrovsk and Myrnograd, threatening to close in on the rear of Ukrainian forces. This leaves them with only two choices. Surrender or fight through, suffering huge losses. To avoid such a situation, Ukrainians instead choose to retreat. On December 9, Ukraine announces the withdrawal of forces from this defense line south of Myrnograd. Then, throughout December and into January, Ukrainian forces retreat even further to the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk and Myrnograd. The Russians take up positions behind them. By mid- January, the Institute for the Study of War estimates that there are no longer any Ukrainian
movements in Pokrovsk, and the city is lost. The situation is somewhat different in Myrnograd, where analysts continue to report the presence of Ukrainians in the city center until February. But by the middle of the month, these messages also stop. Ukraine still claims four weeks later that these two cities remain disputed. And given what we've seen on the front lines, that may well be true. Just because Russian troops have advanced to a certain point does not mean they control everything behind them. The front line has become more confused than ever. And it is becoming increasingly difficult to establish who exactly controls what. And this applies not only to Pokrovsk. Across the front line in Ukraine, matters took on a similarly
chaotic character. Pokrovsk redefined the nature of modern warfare. So what does a typical front line look like today? Gone are the opposing trench systems on both sides of the front, filled with Ukrainian and Russian troops. Trenches were created to protect against inaccurate artillery shells. That many troops gathered in one place would be easy prey for drones. Instead, you're more likely to see small groups of soldiers scattered over vast distances, hiding in underground burrows or the basements of buildings. This is a drone strike zone that now extends 10 miles on either side of the front line. These troops are not here to fight the enemy. They simply act as gunners for teams of drone operators operating a little further in the rear.
They tell these teams where the enemy is hiding, and then drones are sent to destroy it. The types of Heavy bombers or wing-type strike drones drop mortar shells or explosives on fortified targets like bunkers and basements, while smaller FPV drones and fiber-optic FPV drones, which cannot be jammed, fly much closer to the ground, hunting individual soldiers. Drones also deliver resources to these troops, who can hide in positions for months. Food, water, medicine, and ammunition are delivered forward- by land or air. And if these troops are injured, evacuation is also carried out using drones.
Tanks and armored vehicles are an extremely rare sight. If they are involved at all, they are kept deep in the rear of the zone where the artillery is also located. Any advance is likely to be made on motorcycles or by sabotage groups. As we saw in Pokrovsk, these units are trying to cross the zone unnoticed and gain a foothold behind enemy lines. Once there, they act as gunners, hiding for months and receiving support from drones. Their main task is to identify Ukrainian positions and transmit coordinates for a strike with a drone, artillery, or guided bomb. Sometimes, if enough of them accumulate behind enemy lines, they can attack those positions directly. They hope to render the drone strike zone ineffective by destroying observer units or the
UAV operators themselves. When this is successful, Russian troops can advance through the zone without being destroyed, gradually shifting the front line. Of course, these tactics are extremely risky. If the saboteurs are discovered , they can be easily destroyed. And even if they are not noticed, their progress is incredibly slow. Attacks take months to implement, not weeks or days. The next time you hear that the front line in Ukraine is slowly advancing at the cost of huge losses for Russia, this is exactly what it is about. But these tactics are also a necessity. On a battlefield where eyes are everywhere and anything detected comes under attack, neither the Russians nor the Ukrainians have much of a choice. This is
what 21st century combat looks like, and sooner or later we will all have to Hello everyone, thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video and want to see more Daily Mail content in your feed, don't forget to like, subscribe and check out the playlists on the Daily Mail World profile to find new episodes of Battle Board and our other shows like Photo Evidence and War on Tape.
