Pokrovsk serves as a vital supply hub in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. It supports Ukrainian forces across the front lines. Russian troops aim to capture it to disrupt these supply routes and weaken defenses in the broader Siversk-Pokrovsk area. Recent estimates indicate over 150,000 Russian soldiers are concentrated there. On December 10-11, 2024, Russia launched intense attacks with elite units.
Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Response Corps held firm using minefields and street fighting. Ukraine still controls the northern parts of the city, despite Russian claims of full takeover. This battle tests both sides’ endurance, with major strategic risks at stake.
Elite Russian Paratroopers Lead the Charge
Russia deployed its elite 76th Pskov Airborne Division, skilled paratroopers typically used for drops behind enemy lines. They spearheaded an armored assault on December 10, signaling Pokrovsk’s high importance. Thick fog helped them advance with tanks and trucks to avoid drones.
However, Ukraine’s 68th Separate Rifle Brigade destroyed the push. Ukrainian reports described it as a major failure for Russia. This direct attack shows Russia’s shift to risky, outdated tactics, and the loss of elite troops weakens their position deeply.
Fog Hides Russian Armored Column, But Trap Awaits
On December 10, dense fog concealed Russia’s largest armored advance toward Pokrovsk in months. Tanks, trucks, and even motorcycles moved forward, evading drone detection. Russia hoped the weather would shield their vehicles. Ukrainian forces, prepared with artillery, mines, and entrenched positions, turned it into a trap. When the fog lifted, drone footage revealed multiple wrecked vehicles. This marked the first complete destruction of a Russian armored column in the area. The failure forced Russia to adjust plans.
Ukraine Destroys Tanks and Stops Infantry Waves
Ukraine’s 68th Separate Rifle Brigade executed a flawless defense on December 10. Mines, artillery shells, and drones obliterated the entire armored column. Trucks clogged the road, motorcycles overturned, and no tanks penetrated the lines. Other Ukrainian units joined to ensure total defeat. This victory highlighted Russia’s equipment shortages.
On December 11, Russia switched to infantry assaults in Shevchenko village south of Pokrovsk. Hundreds of troops, mostly from the 76th Division, advanced on foot across minefields with minimal armor support. Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Response Corps repelled them decisively. Drone videos showed heavy Russian casualties, with reports confirming 446 lost in the sector over the week, evoking World War I-style charges.
Desperate Tactics and Ukraine’s Firm Defense
With tanks gone, Russian forces resorted to civilian cars like LADA sedans for attacks, which Ukrainian drones and mines quickly destroyed. This reveals severe shortages in Russia’s military production. Casualties mounted as elite paratroopers fell in waves near Ukrainian positions. Drone footage captured grim scenes of bodies piled against walls in Shevchenko, Dachenske, and Lysivka. Ukraine’s defenders, using trenches, drones, artillery, and mines, held northern Pokrovsk despite supply challenges and house-to-house combat. Their preparation proved superior to Russia’s numbers.
Russia claims control of Pokrovsk, but Ukraine confirms ongoing street fights in the north, with no encirclement achieved. These clashes fit Russia’s larger Donetsk offensive with over 150,000 troops targeting villages. Ukraine’s wins buy time to repair supply roads to places like Myrnohrad, as tens of thousands of civilians have evacuated the region since August. Holding Pokrovsk prevents Russia from choking off logistics.
The elite 76th Division’s losses underscore that even top units fail against Ukraine’s modern defenses like drones and mines. Human wave attacks ignore these threats, leading to unsustainable casualties. Ukraine turned the fiasco into a propaganda victory. Looking ahead, Russia may pause due to equipment gaps, but their troop numbers suggest more assaults. Ukraine races to secure supplies, as logistics will decide the front’s fate. These events highlight the war’s brutality, with civilians bearing the heaviest cost.
Sources:
Express.co.uk, Russian army disaster as Ukraine kills over 400 elite …, 2025-12-16
TrenchArt.us, Ukrainian Troops Are Shredding An Entire Russian Division …, 2025-12-16
Liga.net, Russians losses in the Pokrovsk sector increased …, 2025-12-15
DailyKos.com, ADAPTIVE INDOMITABLE UKRAINE Avenges Bucha Massacre …, 2025-12-14
Express.co.uk, Ukraine drones wipe out over 900 Russian soldiers …, 2025-12-12
United24media.com, Russia Deploys Elite Paratrooper Reserves …, 2025-11-20