Dmytro Zhmailo, military expert and co-founder and executive director of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, stated this on Espreso TV."The raising of the Ukrainian flag in Pokrovsk is a very vivid example of a diffuse front, where there is mutual penetration through positions. Unlike how they fought before – in bursts with consolidation – the Russians now ran through our positions in a large mass of 'live meat.' Currently, the invading Russian forces are actively consolidating, especially in the southwestern outskirts of the city. Accordingly, our groups are also penetrating deep into enemy positions and trying to clear out enemy formations. I don't think the main goal was for Ukrainian soldiers to raise the flag; the main goal is to thin out the enemy's offensive positions a bit," Dmytro Zhmailo commented.According to him, information is coming in that fresh Ukrainian reserves are being pulled up to Pokrovsk from the northeastern outskirts. Currently, some of the best Ukrainian units are fighting there – HUR (Main Intelligence Directorate), SSO (Special Operations Forces), and soldiers of the newly formed assault troops. Separate units of our regular mechanized brigades are also approaching."It cannot be said that the issue of Pokrovsk has been resolved. Yes, the Russians have made some advances in the center and northern outskirts of the city, but what analysts, including Western ones, note is that Ukrainian troops are trying to counterattack. Pokrovsk remains a very, very large 'gray zone' with fighting, where the enemy hunts our operators with FPV drones. And we are trying to clear buildings and physically push the enemy to other positions," the military expert noted.In his opinion, regarding the situation in the Myrnohrad agglomeration, the Russian army is much worse off there. There was an attempt by isolated enemy infantrymen to run in, and there was also an attempt at a mechanized assault, which failed because Ukrainian defenders, including paratroopers of the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade, were stationed there. Very heavy fighting continues. And it cannot be said that the defense of Pokrovsk has been concluded. Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold on."Many experts, including Western ones, were quick to say that the issue of Pokrovsk was resolved and troops needed to be withdrawn. On this front, 170,000 enemy personnel are concentrated, which is more than a quarter of Russia's occupying contingent. 12,000 Russian soldiers are involved in the assault on Pokrovsk, constantly trying to infiltrate the city. And our soldiers are turning this 'meat grinder.' Therefore, counterattacking actions are linked to the infiltration of our units into the city. Fighting in urban areas gives us results – greater enemy losses. It is important to keep the Russian cockroaches in the ruins of Pokrovsk, like in a matchbox, for as long as possible. Because when the defenses of important strongholds end, the Russians break out into operational space, using their numerical superiority, and try to infiltrate further. The big problem is that Russia is losing its bio-waste, and we are losing our best warriors," Zhmailo summarized.On November 5, the General Staff reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces continued to hold positions in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration. Information about an alleged encirclement was false.