Defence of Donbas town a priority, Zelensky says, as special forces deployed

BBC.com ^ | 11/01/2025 | James Landale

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the defence of Pokrovsk is a "priority", as elite special forces were deployed to the embattled town on the eastern front line.

Ukrainian army sources told the BBC that special forces from military intelligence and assault groups were being used as regular infantry to protect supply lines to troops holding the town in the Donbas region.

There have been growing reports of Russian advances around the strategic town to the west of Donetsk. Ukraine has denied claims their forces were surrounded.

Moscow wants Kyiv to cede the entire Donbas region as part of a peace deal, including the parts it currently does not control.

Russia currently controls around a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula it annexed in 2014.

The deployment of special forces suggests officials in Kyiv are determined to try to hold on to the town, which Russia has been trying to seize for more than a year.

Local media say the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, was in the region to personally oversee the operation.

Pokrovsk is a key transport and supply hub whose capture could unlock Russian efforts to seize the rest of the region.

But Kyiv also believes its capture would help Russia in its efforts to persuade the US that its military campaign is succeeding - and, therefore, that the West should acquiesce to its demands.

Washington has grown increasingly frustrated with the Kremlin's failure to move forward with peace negotiations - culminating in US President Donald Trump placing sanctions on two largest Russian oil producers and axing plans for a summit with President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky has indicated he is open to Trump's proposal for a ceasefire that would freeze the war along the current front lines. Russia has...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

[Always A Marine]

The use of “special forces” in regular infantry roles is a clear sign of desperation. Artillery and drones are high-volume, equal opportunity destroyers.

[delta7]

Moscow wants Kyiv to cede the entire Donbas region as part of a peace deaL

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No surprise as the Ukies have been shelling Donetsk and the ethnic Russian Donbass since 2014. Yes 2014, Vlad was patient when Ukraine repeatedly violated the Minsk Agreement, and here we are.

[Karl Spooner]

Update: Ukraine Special Forces Wiped Out

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[Navy Patriot]

[adorno]

Ukrainian army sources told the BBC that special forces from military intelligence and assault groups were being used as regular infantry to protect supply lines to troops holding the town in the Donbas region.

That can't be true, because the FR Putinistas told us last week that, Pokrovsk was fully under control of Russian forces.

[silverleaf]

Get the distinct impression the civilians still clinging to their homes in Donbas…are waiting for the Russians. Their fate as “remainers” ( a regime term for disloyalists) would be grim in a Donbas divided with Kiev. Like other “ strategic towns” that Zelensky and his NATO/EU handlers demanded the UKEs to hold….this is yet another meat grinder of lives lost and blood shed…ultimately for a hopeless cause.

Trump seems to be getting terrible advice, to continue complaining that “ the Russians’ won’t settle. It is Zelensky that has taken a “ no territory ceded ” position in a war in which he loses more men and territory every day

[Neanderthal]

"That can't be true, because the FR Putinistas told us last week that, Pokrovsk was fully under control of Russian forces."

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Turns out it is true and the Russians controlling Potrovsk destroyed those Uke special forces in no time. See Post 4.

[adorno]

The use of “special forces” in regular infantry roles is a clear sign of desperation.

Not as desperate as Putin emptying out his prisons to send them to Ukraine. Putin has run out of his original military forces, and is now desperately trying to find troops wherever he can find them, and is having to bribe people with hefty salaries in order to get them to the battlefield.

And don't forget that 'special forces' means better-trained and better-equipped.

The U.S. and other countries use their special forces ahead of their regular military troops. Ukraine was holding them back for 'special' occasions. Putin can't field anything special anymore.

[adorno]

Turns out it is true and the Russians controlling Potrovsk destroyed those Uke special forces in no time. See Post 4.

You, just like Putin, are receiving totally nonsensical information about what's going on.

The Russian forces are being wiped out, methodically and in huge numbers, along with their tanks and other armored vehicles.

Take a look, and make sure you pay attention to all of it:

Operation completed: 1,200 Russians killed, 155 vehicles destroyed, 55 km² liberated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KUhKOKmmJ4

[TexasGator]

“Yes 2014, Vlad was patient when Ukraine repeatedly violated the Minsk Agreement, “

LOL

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AI Overview
Both Ukraine and Russia, and the Russian-backed separatists, were accused of violating the Minsk agreements, with the ceasefires repeatedly breaking down shortly after being agreed. However, most independent observers, including the OSCE monitoring mission, placed the bulk of the blame for non-compliance on Russia and the separatists, who consistently violated the ceasefire and obstructed monitors.