Russia is attempting to surround Pokrovsk

According to Viktor Tregubov, the spokesman for OSGV “Khortitsa,” Russian forces are attempting to establish a foothold in villages surrounding the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, aiming to partially encircle it. The Ukrainian defense forces have thus far succeeded in repelling the enemy’s advances.

Last night, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched over 110 Shahed drones and drone decoys against Ukraine. These unmanned aerial vehicles were reportedly deployed from various Russian cities, including Millerovo, Orel, Bryansk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. The Ukrainian military successfully intercepted 78 of these drones, while 31 drone imitators were also destroyed. Debris from the downed drones caused damage to homes and vehicles in several regions of Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv, Zhitomir, and Zaporizhia, although there were no reported casualties or injuries. The UK Ministry of Defence has estimated that Russia may be capable of launching more than 1,500 drones each month.

The Ukrainian Air Force indicated that 53% of the Russian kamikaze drones were intercepted, while the remainder were either neutralized by electronic warfare or veered off course without posing a significant threat. Various factors can influence the monthly launch rate, but it is still likely that Russia can sustain a launch rate of 1,500 drones per month.

Ukrainian drones targeted the Russkaya compressor station in the Krasnodar region on January 11, aiming to disrupt gas supplies through the Turkish Stream pipeline, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The ministry reported that nine drones were launched at the facility, all of which were intercepted. However, debris from the drones caused damage to the building and equipment of the gas metering station. The ministry confirmed that gas supply has been restored and is functioning normally, with no reported injuries among personnel. The Ukrainian authorities have not yet responded to these claims.

The Turkish Stream pipeline continues to be a vital channel for Russian gas deliveries to the EU following the cessation of transit through Ukraine on January 1. Moscow has previously alleged that Kiev was planning sabotage against the underwater segment of the pipeline, although Ukrainian officials have refrained from commenting on these accusations. There has been no independent verification of the reported attack on the compressor station.

In the Donetsk region, the Russian military is attempting to establish a presence in villages near Pokrovsk to partially encircle the city. This information was shared by Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for the Khortitsa operational-strategic group, during a Ukrainian telethon.

“The Russians are making efforts to secure every house in the villages of Yelizavetovka, Lysovka, Zelenoe, Luch, Novy Trud, and others to facilitate further advances. While they are not making progress directly on Pokrovsk, they are trying to reach the forested area near the highway, which is crucial for supply routes to the city,” Tregubov stated.

He emphasized that currently, the Russians have not succeeded in reaching their objectives, despite ongoing efforts that involve substantial human and technical resources. Ukrainian forces are effectively countering the offensive, having recorded 77 attacks from the aggressor in the past 24 hours, all of which have been thwarted. The American Institute for the Study of War has previously indicated that encircling Pokrovsk is a primary objective for the Russian military. Achieving this goal would enable them to cut off the crucial highway linking Pokrovsk to central Ukraine, particularly to the city of Dnepr.

Germany has delivered the first of the new RCH 155 wheeled howitzers to Ukraine, aimed at bolstering Ukrainian artillery capabilities. The handover ceremony took place in Kassel, attended by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Ukrainian Ambassador Alexey Makeyev. Ukraine has placed an order for 54 howitzers from Germany, with the initial batch remaining in Germany for the training of Ukrainian troops. As Pistorius stated, “Ukraine can count on us, and this is a signal. Germany is prepared to assume responsibility in Europe.”

Nearly a week later, Russian firefighters have managed to contain a fire at an oil depot in Engels. However, the blaze, which ignited following a Ukrainian drone attack, has not been fully extinguished, according to Russian officials.

Roman Busargin, the Governor of the Saratov Region, reported that the fire at the industrial facility in Engels has been contained, although small, isolated flames continue to flare up intermittently, which are promptly addressed by firefighting teams.