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Russia Pulls Elite Forces From Ukraine’s Northern Border to Reinforce Pokrovsk Offensive
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia has redeployed its elite Marine and Airborne units from the Sumy direction to the Pokrovsk sector, according to open-source monitoring.
The monitoring group WarUnitObserver reported the arrival of the 155th and 40th Marine Brigades, likely alongside the 177th Marine Regiment, in the Pokrovsk area. Analysts assess the probable axis of advance as toward Dobropillia and Druzhkivka.
Additionally, elements of the 11th Airborne Brigade and the 76th Airborne Division were identified moving to the same sector. These units were previously recorded operating along the Sumy and Kursk axes.
The redeployment also includes the 70th Motor Rifle Division, which was transferred to Bakhmut to provide reinforcements. Its likely objective is to increase pressure on Kostiantynivka or Siversk.
Analysts conclude that Russia is completing a wider strategic regrouping after shifting forces from Sumy and Kherson, and may soon enter a new phase of offensive operations.
According to Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s “Dnipro” operational group, Russia maintained about 110,000 personnel near Pokrovsk at the start of the summer campaign. The number has since decreased to around 100,000.
He noted that the newly arrived units may be intended to replace formations worn down by earlier assaults and to sustain pressure on Ukrainian defenses.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also highlighted Russian preparations for renewed offensive actions during a press briefing on August 29.
“The Pokrovsk direction is the most serious today. The accumulation and concentration there is up to 100,000 as of this morning. They are preparing offensive actions in any case. It is important that we know this and control it,” he said.
Earlier on August 12, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is losing about 1,000 soldiers a day—three times more than Ukraine’s own daily losses—while noting that Moscow holds manpower and artillery advantages but faces mounting casualties.
-24ca8683eb01b729cd8fae98f952003a.jpg "Ukrainian Ratel-S drone equipped with a downed Shahed warhead. (Source: omelyanovi4/Instagram)")
-0158b6b681e3668f470de36aedad9e3c.jpg "Russian Su-24 bomber moments before Ukrainian drone strike, Crimea. (Source: HUR)")
