Ukrainian Forces Make Advances in Toretsk and Pokrovsk

Ukrainian forces have successfully halted Russian advances near Pokrovsk and launched a series of well-planned counterattacks, marking a shift in battlefield momentum, former Aidar Battalion unit commander and war veteran Yevhen Dykyi said in an interview with Radio NV on March 7.

According to Dykyi, Russia had concentrated significant forces in an attempt to capture Pokrovsk but failed to break through. As a result, they have shifted focus to other sectors in search of weaknesses. However, Ukrainian forces not only held the line but also transitioned to offensive operations, stopping Russian attacks and in some areas regaining the initiative.

“Russia has realized that taking Pokrovsk is impossible, so they are trying to redirect their efforts elsewhere. But we not only held them back near Pokrovsk, we also struck back with localized counterattacks, some of which have put us in control of the battlefield dynamic,” Dykyi said.

Ukrainian forces are also engaged in fighting for Toretsk, a town seized nearly three months ago. Dykyi emphasized that this marks the first liberation of a major settlement in a long time.

He attributed these gains to the gradual exhaustion of Russian forces, noting that while Russian troops continued offensive operations, their losses in manpower and resources increased each week, making territorial gains increasingly difficult.

“Russian advances have effectively stalled across all sectors, but stopping their attacks near Pokrovsk was decisive, as they had concentrated significant forces there,” he added.

As a result, Ukrainian forces are now not only defending but also conducting offensive operations in some areas, which could lay the groundwork for further liberation of occupied territories, according to Dykyi.

Previously, it was reported that Russian forces attempted to cross the border into Ukraine’s Sumy region near the village of Novenke on February 25 but were repelled by Ukrainian forces, Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s General Staff, told Interfax-Ukraine on February 28.