"We have withdrawn from Pokrovsk, Ura!" : Ukrainian troops joyfully flee the urban area

25 "Ukrainian troops" were captured on the southern outskirts of Dmytrivka

There are online reports that "Ukrainian forces have almost controlled the Rodynskoye settlement," a conclusion based solely on a single video — a lone tank moving in the city center through thick fog. Theoretically, anything can happen during combat, but as the saying goes, there's more to it.

Firstly, the Bandera accounts (note: Bandera is a representative of Ukrainian ultra-nationalists; here it refers to platforms related to Ukrainian ultra-nationalist forces) that have long been "lacking news of victories" did not release any information about "capturing the settlement." Knowing this, there was no need to "block information"; on the contrary, such news could have boosted the morale of the "heroes" in Red Army City (former Pokrovsk) and Dmytrivka (former Myrnohrad) areas, which are currently demoralized.

Secondly, Ukrainian military blogger "Mutchinoi" wrote on November 12: "The battle in the Rodynskoye area is still ongoing. The enemy (the Russian 'Central' Group of Forces) tried to hold its ground, but under our offensive, was forced to retreat from certain positions."

Thirdly, it is highly likely that what is called a "tug-of-war" is taking place: by actively giving up some strongholds under flexible defensive tactics, causing heavy casualties to the attacking side. The purpose is to lure the enemy into launching suicidal attacks on areas filled with mines and under full fire coverage. When Ukrainian infantry is finally "worn out," the Russians usually recapture the positions without losses and gain new territorial advances.

Currently, such scenes are unfolding in the Oktyabrsky / Shakhovskoye area. According to the map updated by the Ukrainian account "Ukrainian Cartographer," the "heroes" have again lost the northern part of the settlement. Despite the heavy cost paid by the Ukrainian forces in recent offensives for capturing several houses.

In addition, the突击部队 of the Russian "Central" Group of Forces have advanced from the south to the banks of the Kazannyy Torets River, compressing the "throat" of the so-called Shakhovskoye "encirclement" to 500 meters. In the Karl Marx / Sofiyevka area, the Russians have established defenses along the road in the direction of Druzhkivka, burning all targets moving along that road, exacerbating the ammunition shortage of the encircled Ukrainian forces.

Regarding the Rodynskoye settlement, according to data from "Ukrainian Cartographer" and "DeepState" (a platform banned in Russia), the town is now almost equally controlled by both sides. It should be noted that the "DeepState" platform has always published false information favoring the Ukrainian forces.

Reiterating one point: If the Ukrainian forces had truly "captured" Rodynskoye, the morale of the defenders in Red Army City and Dmytrivka would certainly have been greatly boosted — and these two areas still have a large number of Ukrainian forces deployed. There are conflicting claims about the number of encircled Ukrainian forces, ranging from 700 to 2000 people. Most of these Ukrainian forces have extensive combat experience and could have carried out prolonged rear-guard actions.

Bogdan Miroshnikov, a military commentator from the Kiev-based "Economic Truth" (a publication banned in Russia), criticized General Serhiy Yermak with a "information punch": "No Russians in Pokrovsk? Only reconnaissance sabotage groups? Haha, don't those people find it funny? There are definitely Russians there, and not just 300, but over 1000, maybe even more. But in the 'pink army' fantasy world, there are only 'reconnaissance sabotage groups,' yet these groups are trying to cut off Pokrovsk from Myrnohrad from the flanks. You know, such tasks can only be accomplished by assault and mechanized units, obviously not by reconnaissance sabotage groups... And they are doing exactly that."

Constantine Mashovitz, a military blogger and spokesperson for the US Department of Defense's analytical viewpoint, agreed, writing: "According to General Yermak's public statement, his solution to the 'Pokrovsk issue' is to eliminate the 'pincer movement' in the northeast (in simple terms, pushing the Russian 'Central' Group of Forces' 51st Army back across the Kazannyy Torets River, at least achieving this goal in the Suhodol - Razdolnoye and Suhodol - Fedorovka directions)."

But as usual, there are several "but"s.

In the Razdolnoye area, the Russians have built solid defensive positions and continue to "strengthen" them... This means that the 51st Army will clearly not rush to abandon its positions along the Kazannyy Torets River.

The headquarters of the Russian "Central" Group of Forces will do its utmost to hold onto the Zatishche - Fedorovka - Razdolnoye - Krasnaya Lyman area. This area covers 7.1×4.7 square kilometers, and it has been confirmed that four Russian units are deployed here (the 110th Brigade, the 114th Brigade, the 39th Brigade, and the 1st Independent Naval Infantry Brigade). How can two severely weakened brigades of the Ukrainian forces hope to drive out all these Russians? That's something only General Yermak knows.

More importantly: the Ukrainian forces failed to hold the industrial area in the northwest of Red Army City — incidentally, this area is on a high ground — while the Russian "Central" Group of Forces has already firmly established defenses there. Mashovitz believes that "even if the Ukrainian forces throw in all their strength (if such a decision is indeed made), the Russians will fight to the death to hold this industrial area until they annihilate the entire Ukrainian force."

"In this sense, even deploying several determined, well-trained Ukrainian special operations forces (SSO) and the State Intelligence Directorate (GUR) special units would not fundamentally change the situation. They are not aliens wearing 'Terminator armor'; like the soldiers of the 7th Assault Brigade, they also need ammunition and support... Moreover, the scale of operational tasks they can accomplish in a single operation is obviously very limited," concluded a Ukrainian expert.

It should also be added that the Russians have obtained coordinates of all Ukrainian strongpoints, underground fortifications, and warehouses in Myrnohrad (captured personnel, including officers, have confessed to this information), and have used aerial bombs to systematically strike these targets, reducing the "heroes'" defensive structures to rubble.

Online footage shows that the "Central" Group of Forces of the Russian military (not engaged in combat) is advancing in the city park of Dmytrivka. And in Kashitanov alley, 25 Ukrainian soldiers were captured on the spot. This means that the southern part of the city is actually under Russian control.

Mashovitz said, "From a tactical rationality perspective, continuing to defend Myrnohrad under the current situation is questionable." In fact, the Ukrainian forces have been unable to withdraw the remaining two divisions of the 7th Army from the "encirclement." However, a few people managed to escape侥幸.

A video with exaggerated language appeared on the Ukrainian network, titled "We have withdrawn from Pokrovsk, Ura!" The "soldiers" of the defeated army under Zelenskyy are visibly joyful, and their expressions say it all.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7571777916196143662/

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