Russian forces are preparing to blockade Pokrovsk and Mirnograd, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Russian troops are preparing to blockade Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, ISW reports

Russian forces are likely planning to cut off Ukrainian ground communication lines in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region. This move aims to compel the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to retreat from these cities in the coming months.

This information comes from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Analysts note that Russian forces have recently severed the T-0405 Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway to the east of Pokrovsk and the T-0406 Pokrovsk-Mezhova highway to the southwest of Pokrovsk as part of their efforts to encircle Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.

Both highways, T-0405 and T-0406, are among the three main ground supply routes for the Ukrainian military grouping in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area.

In this context, the ISW believes that the Russian offensive to the east and west of Pokrovsk could complicate Ukrainian logistics and the ability of Ukraine to replenish supplies and reposition troops to defend the settlements of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.

Experts warn that the Russian military command may intend to launch further offensives north of the T-0405 and T-0406 highways, ultimately forcing the AFU to retreat north (instead of east or west) to support the encirclement of both settlements by Russia and further advance west towards the administrative border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Additionally, the Russian military command is likely hoping to avoid frontal assaults on the urban areas of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad with infantry.

Consequently, the blockade of these cities increases the likelihood of a retreat by the Ukrainian army, allowing Russian forces to capture these settlements while avoiding heavy urban combat.