Hundreds of Ukrainian Troops Could Be Encircled Near Pokrovsk, Forbes
Date: 2024-09-03 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR
The Russian advance on Pokrovsk not only threatens vital supply routes, the city itself, and all its civilians. It also creates an extremely dangerous situation for Ukrainian troops south of Pokrovsk.
According to Forbes analyst David Axe, the Russians, as they approach Pokrovsk, have outflanked Ukrainian forces holding a line between the village of Memrik and the Vovcha River, which runs north-south three miles east of Memrik.
"The result is an open salient jutting eastward into the Russian line — a salient that, with a few decisive Russian maneuvers, could become a trap for hundreds of Ukrainian troops," the analyst writes.
Inside this salient are units of the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade, the 68th Jaeger Brigade, the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade, and the 15th National Guard Brigade. At the same time, the analyst notes that the integrity and stability of these Ukrainian forces depends on the 25th Airborne Brigade, which is protecting the village of Ukrainsk in the northern direction of this section.
It is possible, the analyst writes, that the Ukrainian retreat has already begun. and this is a reasonable step on the part of the Ukrainian command. Withdrawal from this salient will give the Russians about 30 square miles, but will preserve the integrity of the Ukrainian battalions at a critical moment, the analyst notes. In addition, some optimistic assessments of the fighting around Pokrovsk indicate a slowdown in the Russian offensive - which could give the Ukrainians time and space to strengthen their defenses and logistics and save the city.
"There are not enough troops. There are so few of them that the loss of parts of four brigades could be catastrophic for the Ukrainians. At the same time, a successful evacuation of these almost encircled troops could strengthen the straightened and shortened Ukrainian line," the Forbes analyst believes.
He emphasizes that this would probably be the most optimistic outcome for the Ukrainians defending Pokrovsk, since, according to experts, stabilization in this section of the front line is possible by autumn, after the Russian army has exhausted its offensive potential.
