Russian forces repel Ukrainian breakout attempt, advance near Pokrovsk
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Russian forces advance near Pokrovsk, eliminating a Ukrainian special operations group and repelling breakout attempts as heavy fighting continues across Donetsk.
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A Russian multiple rocket-artillery launcher fires at an area where Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and equipment were concentrated in the Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), Donetsk, as seen in a screengrab from a video released on November 1, 2025 (Russian MoD)
Russian forces continue to consolidate their positions in Donetsk, with the Ministry of Defense announcing on Saturday that its Tsentr (Center) group of forces eliminated an 11-member special operations unit of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) near the city of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk).
According to the Ministry, Russian units intercepted and eliminated the group as it attempted to land northwest of the city.
“An operation to deploy a GUR special operations group by a helicopter in one kilometer north-west of Krasnoarmeysk was thwarted. All 11 militants who disembarked from the helicopter have been neutralized,” the statement read.
Heavy losses across Ukrainian fronts
In its daily briefing, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that over 405 Ukrainian servicemen were eliminated in the Tsentr group’s zone of operations within 24 hours. It added that Ukrainian forces also lost two armored combat vehicles, seven cars, and three field artillery guns.
The Ministry detailed further Ukrainian losses across multiple operational sectors:
- The Vostok (East) group eliminated up to 290 soldiers;
- The Zapad (West) group eliminated over 220;
- The Yug (South) group up to 225;
- The Sever (North) group is over 170.
Meanwhile, the Dnepr group of Russian forces reportedly eliminated more than 60 Ukrainian personnel in their respective zone.
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Fighting intensifies around Pokrovsk
Russian units have also repelled seven Ukrainian breakout attempts near the settlement of Hryshyne, as Ukrainian troops sought to escape encirclement north of Pokrovsk. The Ministry said the Center group’s forces continue to “eliminate encircled Ukrainian formations” near the city’s railway station and have completed the clearing of the nearby settlements of Hnativka and Rih.
The 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Army is said to be tightening the encirclement from the east, expanding control over the northern, eastern, and southeastern districts of Dimitrov (Myrnohrad).
Strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure
Russian tactical aviation, drones, missile units, and artillery also conducted strikes against energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, as well as airfield infrastructure and drone storage sites. The strikes reportedly targeted facilities linked to the operation of long-range attack drones and the temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian forces.
The latest developments come a day after Ukrainian special forces were deployed into Pokrovsk, where Russian troops breached the city’s defensive perimeter, according to a Reuters report. The mission, personally overseen by Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, was meant to stabilize the defense line amid Russia’s advance into the city.
Pokrovsk, a major transport and logistics hub connecting key routes across Donetsk, has become a focal point of Russia’s offensive. Control over the city would significantly enhance Russian supply lines and reinforce territorial gains in the Donetsk corridor.
Read more: Ukrainian command leaves troops in Donetsk without ammo
