Russia will launch a winter offensive in Pokrovsk and Dobropillia direction in Donetsk region in the coming weeks, Ukraine's military officials said on Wednesday.
Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Andriy Hnatov said Russian troops were attack Ukrainian positions with a five to six-fold superiority in manpower and equipment numbers.
“The adversary is conducting offensive actions along the entire line of contact in 13 main operational axes, averaging 160-190 assault waves per day,” Hnatov explained. The most intense fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces - backed by air power, artillery, and extensive use of deadly attack drones - are carrying out high-intensity offensives. “Currently, the enemy is trying to infiltrate small groups into the rear of our forces, accumulate there, and then push the offensive further,” Hnatov said.
In turn, Ukrainian forces are actively launching counterattacks to reclaim lost ground and eliminate Russian infiltrators operating behind their lines. "Overall, despite suffering heavy losses in troops, weapons, and equipment, the enemy persists in its offensive operations. The situation in other areas, like Zaporizhzhia, will be influenced by what unfolds near Pokrovsk," Hnatov stated.
He noted that weather plays a significant role, with heavy rainfall hindering mobility and restricting movement on the battlefield. Nevertheless, Russia is expected to continue its current military actions.
Meanwhile, Colonel Maksym Bakulin, press officer for the National Guard’s 14th Operational Brigade “Chervona Kalyna,” reported that the situation near Pokrovsk is shifting rapidly. He explained that adverse weather - marked by strong winds and cloudy skies - is hampering Russia’s ability to deploy drones effectively, while large-scale infantry attacks are leading to significant Russian casualties.
