russian forces continue daily attacks on the Pokrovsk axis within the area of responsibility of Ukraine's 46th Brigade, attempting to exploit severe winter weather to intensify pressure on Ukrainian defensive positions. The enemy has increased the tempo of assaults to approximately 40-45 attacks per week.
Speaking on Suspilne, Serhii Kondratiuk, acting head of the communications unit of the 46th Brigade, stated that russian troops primarily rely on small assault groups consisting of three to four soldiers. These groups attack Ukrainian positions at irregular intervals, seeking to probe weaknesses in the defense rather than engage in sustained frontal combat.
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If one such group manages to gain a foothold, it attempts to entrench itself, after which a fresh group is sent forward to continue advancing. This tactic is designed to gradually infiltrate Ukrainian defensive lines, especially under conditions of poor visibility and difficult weather that limit reconnaissance and response times.
Serhii Kondratiuk noted that under these conditions, russian units increasingly aim to bypass direct engagements and penetrate into Ukrainian rear areas. Their primary objectives include identifying UAV launch points and artillery positions in order to direct russian artillery and aviation strikes against them.
While small infantry groups remain the main tool, russian forces have also periodically deployed heavy armored vehicles. In January, two large-scale armored assaults were launched on this sector, both of which were repelled by Ukrainian defenders. According to the Brigade, the failed attacks resulted in the elimination of a total of around 80 russian soldiers.
The 46th Brigade also reports the regular capture of russian prisoners of war. One recent case highlighted a particularly brutal tactic employed by russian commanders. A captured soldier was sent into the attack unarmed, wearing only body armor and a helmet.
The soldier was used as a so-called "living antenna". He was issued a communications antenna and ordered to remain at a designated point to serve as a human relay for russian drones and communications systems. The position was later destroyed by Ukrainian Baba Yaga heavy UAV, leaving the soldier trapped under debris.
The russian serviceman survived the strike and was subsequently discovered by Ukrainian troops, who took him prisoner.
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