Russian forces seek to advance north from Pokrovsk outskirts

The situation near Hryshyne remains particularly tense, the military said.

“The enemy is trying to develop its offensive and gain a foothold in the settlement, operating in small infantry groups. Small-arms combat is ongoing,” the statement said.

The situation along the Pokrovsk axis also remains difficult, the Khortytsia group said. Russian forces are attempting to intensify their offensive in the Pokrovsk urban area by increasing the number of assault groups and more actively deploying long-range artillery and drones.

Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding positions on the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk, the military said. At the same time, Russian troops are concentrating equipment and personnel in the southern part of the city in an effort to create conditions for an advance northward.

Ukrainian units are identifying and destroying targets both within Pokrovsk and south of the city, preventing Russian forces from forming effective assault groupings, the military said.

Russian forces have also attempted to establish positions in central and northern Hryshyne in recent days, but Ukrainian troops are disrupting those efforts and striking concentrations of enemy personnel, Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces 7th Corps reported on April 20. Russian units are also trying to bypass the settlement from the southwest to secure positions on its outskirts.