“Russian forces are struggling to close the Ukrainian pocket in the Pokrovsk direction by advancing on the northern shoulder of the pocket near Rodynske, where they pose the greatest threat of closing the encirclement”- ISW

The rate of Russian advances in the Pokrovsk direction remains relatively slow, likely in part because the Russian military command continues to pursue grinding offensive operations throughout the theater.

ISW has continued to observe relatively little geolocated footage of Russian advances in and near Pokrovsk in early November 2025 compared to confirmed advances in mid- to late-October 2025. Geolocated footage published on November 10 and 11 indicates that Russian forces advanced in southeastern Pokrovsk and marginally advanced in southeastern Myrnohrad (east of Pokrovsk), respectively.

Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced north of Pokrovsk; in northern, northeastern, and eastern Pokrovsk; to western Myrnohrad from positions within Pokrovsk; east and northeast of Myrnohrad; and within eastern Myrnohrad.

Milbloggers also claimed that Russian forces advanced near Krasnyi Lyman (northeast of Pokrovsk), Sukhyi Yar (southeast of Pokrovsk), Kotlyne, and Udachne (both southwest of Pokrovsk).

Russian milbloggers refuted claims of substantial Russian advances northwest of Pokrovsk toward Hryshyne from Rodynske (north of Pokrovsk), however.

Russian forces are struggling to close the Ukrainian pocket in the Pokrovsk direction by advancing on the northern shoulder of the pocket near Rodynske, where they pose the greatest threat of closing the encirclement. Elements of the 51st Combined Arms Army (CAA) (formerly the 1st Donetsk People’s Republic Army Corps [DNR AC], Southern Military District [SMD]) have been fighting on the eastern flank of the Pokrovsk direction, including near Rodynske, in recent weeks and have been struggling to make advances comparable to the 2nd CAA (Central Military District [CMD]), which has been fighting and making gains on the western flank.[5]

The rate of Russian advances in the Pokrovsk direction remains relatively slow, likely in part because the Russian military command continues to pursue grinding offensive operations throughout the theater. ISW has continued to observe relatively little geolocated footage of Russian advances in and near Pokrovsk in early November 2025 compared to confirmed advances in mid- to late-October 2025. Geolocated footage published on November 10 and 11 indicates that Russian forces advanced in southeastern Pokrovsk and marginally advanced in southeastern Myrnohrad (east of Pokrovsk), respectively.

Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced north of Pokrovsk; in northern, northeastern, and eastern Pokrovsk; to western Myrnohrad from positions within Pokrovsk; east and northeast of Myrnohrad; and within eastern Myrnohrad.

Milbloggers also claimed that Russian forces advanced near Krasnyi Lyman (northeast of Pokrovsk), Sukhyi Yar (southeast of Pokrovsk), Kotlyne, and Udachne (both southwest of Pokrovsk).

Russian milbloggers refuted claims of substantial Russian advances northwest of Pokrovsk toward Hryshyne from Rodynske (north of Pokrovsk), however.

Russian forces are struggling to close the Ukrainian pocket in the Pokrovsk direction by advancing on the northern shoulder of the pocket near Rodynske, where they pose the greatest threat of closing the encirclement. Elements of the 51st Combined Arms Army (CAA) (formerly the 1st Donetsk People’s Republic Army Corps [DNR AC], Southern Military District [SMD]) have been fighting on the eastern flank of the Pokrovsk direction, including near Rodynske, in recent weeks and have been struggling to make advances comparable to the 2nd CAA (Central Military District [CMD]), which has been fighting and making gains on the western flank.