Russia’s failed armored push on December 10, 2024, highlighted the fierce fighting around Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. Thick fog grounded most Ukrainian drones, giving Russian forces a chance to send about 30 armored vehicles in a bold mechanized attack. Ukrainian troops stopped the advance cold, showing their skill at adapting to tough conditions. This event revealed Russia’s heavy pressure on the area and Ukraine’s strong defenses.
Growing Pressure Near Pokrovsk
Russian attacks around Pokrovsk have ramped up sharply. Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Response Corps counted 132 assaults in one week alone, a 20% jump from before. From December 1 to 21, they reported killing or wounding about 810 Russian soldiers and shooting down over 2,600 drones. These stats show the fast pace of the battles and how drones dominate the fights.
Ukraine says Russia has massed around 156,000 troops in the broader Pokrovsk area. That’s a huge number, more like a full offensive than small raids. For Ukraine, this buildup marks Pokrovsk as a top Russian target. Kyiv has rushed in reinforcements and shuffled commanders to hold the line.
Pokrovsk Faces Grave Danger
Pokrovsk once had 60,000 residents before Russia’s full invasion. By late November 2024, only about 11,000 adults and 49 children remained, a 98% drop due to evacuations. Russian troops sit just 7 kilometers from the city’s edge, close enough for their artillery to hit key buildings and roads.
The city matters for more than people. It serves as a major hub for supplies feeding Ukrainian forces across eastern fronts. If Russia captures it, they could cut those lines and make it harder for Ukraine to fight nearby. In response, Ukraine swapped out General Oleksandr Lutsenko for General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy to lead defenses there, aiming to tighten control and push back the threat.
Risks of Encirclement and Humanitarian Crisis
NATO experts now call the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad zone a potential “cauldron,” where Ukrainian forces risk getting trapped. One official noted Myrnohrad is almost fully surrounded, with just a slim path out under constant Russian fire. This shows how fast positions can turn into traps when Russians seize roads and crossroads.
Ukraine’s Eastern Command set up backup supply paths to keep troops fed if cut off. Still, civilian evacuations have broken down amid heavy shelling and unsafe roads. Those left behind deal with scarce food, little medical help, and nonstop shellfire. Pokrovsk and nearby towns have become hotspots in Ukraine’s larger humanitarian disaster.
The Botched Attack on December 10
The fog-shrouded assault marked a shift from Russia’s usual small-group tactics. Paratroopers from Russia’s 76th Pskov Airborne Division rolled forward with roughly 30 armored vehicles. They hoped the poor visibility would blind Ukrainian drones and let them punch through lines for a foothold near the city.
Ukraine was ready. The 68th Separate Rifle Brigade struck the lead vehicles first, stopping the charge in minutes. Artillery and surviving drones from the 7th Rapid Response Corps then hammered follow-up waves all day, even in the murk. By nightfall, Ukraine declared victory, Russians gained no ground and lost many vehicles.
Experts say the failure proves the danger of sending tanks without good scouting or air support, no matter the weather. It also spotlights Ukraine’s smart defenses, blending infantry, guns, and drones to blunt big attacks.
Shifting Fronts and High Stakes Ahead
North of Pokrovsk, clashes rage in factory zones that Russia eyes for breakthroughs. Past those built-up spots, lines turn fuzzy into a “gray zone” of sneaky infantry raids. Ukrainian commanders say the battlefield changes hourly, demanding quick shifts in plans and supplies.
As 2025 dawned, Pokrovsk summed up the war’s big patterns: Russia’s meat-grinder tactics with masses of troops and gear, Ukraine’s clever defenses under duress, and the awful toll on civilians. Watchers worldwide monitor the military moves and aid needs closely. A shift in who controls Pokrovsk could upend supply chains, steady the front, and sway peace talks. For now, the battle hangs in balance, with ripple effects far beyond one city.
Sources
Ukrinform Defense Forces Report, December 2024
BBC News Pokrovsk Coverage, November-December 2025
Reuters Ukraine War Reporting, December 10, 2024
Kyiv Independent War Updates, November-December 2025
CNN Military Command and Tactical Analysis, December 2024
Institute for the Study of War Strategic Campaign Assessment, December 2025