Russian troops have intensified their offensive to the east of Pokrovsk, attempting to encircle the city from the northeast.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Analysts at the ISW noted that Russian forces had concentrated their efforts on trying to encircle Pokrovsk. 

Quote:"Russian forces began intensifying offensive operations east of Pokrovsk, and geolocated footage published on 1 January indicates that Russian forces recently seized Vozdvyzhenka (east of Pokrovsk). Geolocated footage published on 5 January indicates that Russian forces have likely also seized Svyrydonivka and Tymofiivka (both east of Pokrovsk) in recent days and advanced into southeastern Yelyzavetivka (south of Pokrovsk) during a platoon-sized mechanised assault."

More details: In its report, ISW noted that Russian military bloggers claimed to have established Russian sabotage and reconnaissance units north of Tymofiivka and along the T-0504 Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka road. They also claimed that Russian troops had advanced north of Vozdvyzhenka towards Baranivka, Vodiane Druhe and Zelene Pole. However, ISW had not confirmed these claims.

To quote the ISW’s Key Takeaways on 5 January:

• Ukrainian forces resumed offensive operations in at least three areas within the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast and made tactical advances on 5 January.
• Russian forces also advanced southeast of Sudzha and counterattacked against intensified Ukrainian attacks southeast of Korenevo and north of Sudzha on 5 January.
• Russian sources expressed concern about the Russian military's ability to react to Ukraine's ongoing combined arms efforts to integrate electronic warfare (EW) and long-range strike capabilities with ground operations.
• Russian forces recently advanced east of Pokrovsk amid renewed offensive operations in the area likely aimed at supporting the envelopment of Pokrovsk from the northeast.
• The recent intensification in the Russian 41st CAA's area of responsibility east of Pokrovsk indicates that the Russian military command is still considering the envelopment of Pokrovsk as one of their key operational objectives in this area.
• Russian forces may also be exploiting comparatively weaker Ukrainian defensive positions further east and south of Pokrovsk as part of an ongoing effort to seize any territory, regardless of such territory’s relative tactical insignificance.
• Elements of the Russian 5th Motorised Rifle Brigade (51st CAA, formerly 1st Donetsk People's Republic Army Corps) are reportedly split between the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts — Russia's two most prioritised sectors of the frontline.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Borova, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kursk salient and regained lost positions near Chasiv Yar.

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