A 'Last, Final Battle' Is Coming as Russian Tanks Mass Outside Pokrovsk

Nine regiments and brigades under a single command are about to attack the fortress city

A T-80 tank with the Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade

Russia is massing troops and armored fighting vehicles, or AFVs, in the direction of Dobropillya, just north of the fortress city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. Observing the growing concentration of Russian, one Ukrainian drone operator got an ominous feeling.

“They have prepared a lot of forces and [are] ready for the last, final battle for the rest of Donetsk Oblast,” wrote Kriegsforscher, who flies drones in support of Ukrainian brigades defending Lyman, 50 miles north of Pokrovsk. “We will see again the usage of AFV columns. And it will be very bloody for both sides.”

No fewer than five Russian marine and airborne brigades, regiments and divisions have redeployed—or are in the process of redeploying—from Sumy Oblast in northern Ukraine to the bottom of the collapsing Russian salient northeast of Pokrovsk.

Meanwhile, the Russian 70th Motor Rifle Division is redeploying from Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine—and it’s bringing its T-72 and T-90 tanks.

“Russia is finalizing its strategic regrouping,” Unit Observer noted. “Having redeployed forces from Sumy and Kherson, its offensive will likely enter a new phase soon.” Kriegsforscher stressed that the offensive could last a year.