Military expert and co-chair of the Prava Sprava public initiative Dmytro Sniehyriov stated this on Espreso TV."The situation in Pokrovsk should not be perceived as either a tragedy or a local defeat. What's happening is that Russian forces are creating conditions for operational encirclement of units. Accordingly, to avoid these scenarios - capture or mass casualties among personnel - decisions are being made to withdraw to previously prepared positions," Sniehyriov noted.According to the military expert, it's not news that Russian forces are having tactical successes in Pokrovsk, but Russian reports of complete control over the city do not reflect reality. Ukraine's Defense Forces are holding positions in the high-rise residential areas, and fighting continues along the line of the so-called industrial zone."It's also worth noting that approximately 60% of Myrnohrad remains under the control of Ukraine's Defense Forces. What is currently happening in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad is effectively exhausting the most combat-ready units of the Russian army. Holding Pokrovsk is absolutely necessary for us primarily for the negotiation process. Control over the Pokrovsk agglomeration specifically increases the Ukrainian side's leverage during negotiations," Sniehyriov emphasized.Senior officer of the communications department of the 59th Separate Assault Drone Systems Brigade Taras Myshak noted that the Russian forces are sending "disposable" soldiers forward to identify Ukrainian military positions.