Reuters has reported that special forces from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine have been deployed to Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast at the beginning of this week amid intensified fighting, with the aim of stabilising the situation.

Source : Reuters, citing its sources; The Economist correspondent Oliver Carroll on Х (Twitter)

Quote from Reuters : "Ukraine landed special forces to fight in embattled parts of the eastern city of Pokrovsk earlier this week... The operation shows how Ukraine is battling to stabilise the situation in the strategically important city after scores of Russian troops breached its perimeter this month."

Details : Reuters, citing a source in the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces, reported that Ukrainian special forces had landed several days ago from a Black Hawk helicopter as part of an operation complicated by Russian drone activity.

Footage shows at least 10 soldiers disembarking from the helicopter in a field. Reuters could not independently verify the location or date of the video.

Reuters also reported, citing its source, that the operation was led by Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the situation in Pokrovsk, where Russian forces are advancing, remains difficult, with 170,000 Russian troops concentrated in the area.

Read more: How Pokrovsk is imperceptibly falling: five observations by Ukrainska Pravda

Background :

• On 26 October, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russians had concentrated their main assault group against Pokrovsk.
• Ukrainska Pravda reported on 24 October that there were at least 250 Russian troops in Pokrovsk, engaging in firefights and killing Ukrainian soldiers, particularly drone operators, at their positions.
• Logistics into the city is fully controlled by Russian drones, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to walk 10-15 km to reach their positions. Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad are at risk of encirclement.
• DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts, reported that Russian forces continue to infiltrate Pokrovsk, gradually increasing their infantry presence and expanding sabotage and reconnaissance activities within the city.
• The 7th Rapid Response Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces reported on 29 October that Russia has deployed about 11,000 troops in an effort to encircle Pokrovsk.

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