AFU destroy russian sabotage groups trying to break through to Pokrovsk - ISW

The Ukrainian military has successfully neutralized russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups (SRGs) trying to penetrate Pokrovsk. This is stated in a recent report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

In the Siversk Axis, russian troops continue their offensives, operating in small infantry groups supported by drones and artillery. Despite the attempts to break through, the occupiers have not advanced.

Geolocation videos published on October 17-18 confirm active fighting near Myrnohrad and Leontovychi - ISW assesses that these were attempts by the russians to conduct infiltration operations.

"Russian troops have a numerical advantage in manpower south of Pokrovsk, but do not control this area, as Ukrainian forces continue to counterattack," the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces of Ukraine noted. According to ISW, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are detecting and destroying russian SRGs trying to break through to the city.

The Pokrovsk Axis remains one of the hottest sections of the front. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, almost 40 combat clashes took place there on October 18 alone.

"In the past 24 hours, 83 occupiers were neutralized in this direction, 50 of them irreversibly. Ukrainian soldiers also destroyed an artillery system, 10 UAVs, a control antenna, a drone control point, seven shelters for personnel and two enemy command posts," the General Staff reported.

Total losses of russian troops since the start of the full-scale war have exceeded 1.1 million people.

Recall that russia's major summer offensive on the front in Ukraine failed. The aggressor lost up to 100,000 soldiers killed, and territorial gains were meager.