Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said there has been no encirclement or blockade of the cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast. He has also said that a complex operation to kill and push back Russian forces in Pokrovsk is ongoing involving, among others, Special Operations Forces, the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU).

Source: Syrskyi on Facebook after his trip to the Pokrovsk front and meetings with commanders

Quote: "In the Pokrovsk-Mirnohrad agglomeration, our troops are holding back sustained pressure from a large enemy force that numbers many thousands and is persistently trying to infiltrate residential districts and cut our supply routes. However, there is no encirclement or blockade of the cities and we are doing everything necessary to maintain logistics.

A complex operation to destroy and drive the enemy out of Pokrovsk is ongoing. The main burden is on the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in particular UAV operators and assault units. Also, on my instruction, combined groups of the Special Operations Forces, Ukrainian Military Law Enforcement Service, the Security Service of Ukraine and other components of the Ukrainian defence forces, including DIU, are operating in the city."

Details: Syrskyi said that in Pokrovsk, Russian troops are "paying the highest price" for trying to fulfil the Kremlin leader's goal of occupying Ukrainian Donbas.

Quote: "We continue clearance and liberation of areas on the Dobropillia salient. Pokrovsk – we are holding it. Myrnohrad – we are holding it."

More details: Syrskyi stressed that in the current difficult conditions effective coordination between units and well-synchronised execution of tasks are crucial.

Quote: "The defence of the agglomeration will be reinforced with additional units, weapons and equipment, including unmanned systems and UAV assets."

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