Russia has shifted its focus from capturing Pokrovsk to advancing towards the borders of Dnipropetrovsk region – ISW.

Russian troops continue the offensive in the Pokrovsk direction

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report that Russian invaders have recently expanded their influence in the Pokrovsk direction. Geolocation footage published on January 3 shows that Russian troops have continued their offensive north of Novohrodivka (southeast of Pokrovsk) and along the Pokrovsk-Navotroitske highway northeast of Shevchenko (south of Pokrovsk).

Additionally, Russian milbloggers claim that the occupiers are expanding their influence in Zvirovyi (southeast of Pokrovsk), northwest of Vozdvижenka (east of Pokrovsk), one kilometer north of Vovkove (southwest of Pokrovsk), and towards Nadezhdinka (southwest of Pokrovsk).

However, ISW does not confirm these claims. Russian forces continue to advance near Pokrovsk, east of Pokrovsk in the area of Vodiane Druhe, Baranivka, Myroliubivka, Promin, southeast of Pokrovsk near Lysivka, south of Pokrovsk - Dachenske, Shevchenka, Zelenyi, Novyi Trud, and southwest of Pokrovsk near Pishchane, Zvirovyi, Solone, Kotlyne, Uspenivka, Novovasylivka on January 2 and 3.

Ukrainian military observer Konstantyn Mashovets reported that the Russian military command is moving units of the 41st brigade from east of Pokrovsk to the south and southwest of the city.

Mashovets also stated that units of the 433rd motorized rifle regiment and units of the 55th brigade are attacking Kotlyne (southwest of Pokrovsk) to cut off the Pokrovsk-Mezhove highway. Additionally, units of the 90th tank division are concentrated south of Pokrovsk, while parts of its 80th and 239th tank regiments and the 228th motorized rifle regiment are attacking the frontlines of Novovasylivka-Novoelyzavetivka towards Uspenivka (west of Novovasylivka) and Nadezhdinka (west of Novoelyzavetivka).

Mashovets's statements indicate that the Russian military command is focusing on areas south and southwest of Pokrovsk, rather than east. This is consistent with ISW's assessment that Russian forces may be temporarily shifting their focus from encircling Pokrovsk from the east and west to conducting opportunistic offensives westward towards the border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

It should be noted that the 1046th day of full-scale war in Ukraine continues.

In the past day, there were 138 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders are actively repelling enemy attacks, inflicting significant losses on them.

The situation in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhiv, and Vremiv directions remains tense - the enemy is concentrating its main forces in these directions.