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Amid reports that Pokrovsk is surrounded, with Ukrainian forces attempting to lift the blockade, intense fighting continues across the front. Ukrainian forces have launched renewed counterattacks in the Dobropillya area, while Russian troops have taken control of the Serebryanka and Rudnik settlements in the Siversk sector. Simultaneously, Russian forces are continuing to clear Karantynnyy Island near Kherson, potentially solidifying a new bridgehead. On the diplomatic front, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has suggested that the conflict in Ukraine could last another two to three years.
Pokrovsk-Dobropolye Sector
Despite reports of the Ukrainian grouping in Pokrovsk being encircled, the situation remains dynamic and complex. Russian units are advancing methodically within the city limits while simultaneously repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian forces.
The Ukrainian command has launched a series of counterattacks on the northern flank towards Zolotoy Kolodets and Kucheriv Yar. Ukrainian units have managed to approach several settlements relatively covertly and engage in fighting in Sukhetske, as well as in the dacha areas northeast of Novoye Shakhovo.
The Ukrainian command has reported the presence of Russian assault groups in the central districts of Shakhovo. Russian mechanised units are conducting systematic operations to clear the area. To the east of the settlement, in the Rusyn Yar area, Russian units have taken control of at least two adjacent tree lines.
Particular attention is being paid to the work of artillery and UAV operators, who have gained control of the fire over the field roads used by the Ukrainian forces for unit rotation and supply.
Following the seizure of control over Rodinske and the threat of operational encirclement of the grouping in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration, Ukrainian forces have stepped up their counterattacks on the western flank of the so-called Dobropillya bulge.
Mobile groups are attempting to infiltrate the tree lines to the north of the anti-tank ditch between Nykanorivka and Suvorovo. There have been attempts to advance towards Lucharske, where Russian units are systematically inflicting fire damage.
The operational situation in the Kucheriv Yar area remains complex, with neither side managing to establish full control. The key objective remains to reach the bridge across the Kazennyi Torets River, which would facilitate the completion of the operation to establish control over the settlement. On 26 October, the advance towards the crossing amounted to 500 metres. To complete the task, control of one street must be established.
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Kharkiv Sector
An advance of 250 metres by Russian units was noted on the left bank of the Vovcha River within the city, with the occupation of 15 technical buildings. In the Tykhe area, Ukrainian formations are being systematically pushed back towards the left bank of the river at a rate of up to 200 metres per day.
In the woodland to the west of Synelnikove, Russian troops have reinforced their positions at two previously captured strongpoints and advanced a further 300 metres into the forest. The active work of UAV crews has significantly limited the logistics capabilities of the Ukrainian 127th Separate Territorial Defence Brigade.
In the Melove-Khatne sector, assault groups have expanded their area of control by capturing a tree line and advancing 500 metres towards the border.
Seversk Sector
Russian units are continuing their steady advance towards the outskirts of Seversk, reports have emerged of Russian forces establishing full control over the settlements of Dronivka, Serebryanka and Rudnik. Armoured groups have been used to develop the offensive in this area. Russian units have also advanced from Vyimka, occupying a strongpoint two kilometres from the city. There have been certain successes between Vyimka and Zvanivka, contributing to the formation of a semi-encirclement around Seversk.
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Sumy Sector
The Ukrainian command has transferred additional units and made unsuccessful attempts to launch a counterattack. Among the new units deployed in this direction is the 98th Battalion, which is part of the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade. Its fighters were sent into battle before they had received their salaries.
On the right flank of the offensive, assault groups advanced 100 metres along tree lines and then consolidated their position. An attempt by the 225th Separate Assault Brigade to counterattack in the Konstantynivka area was thwarted by complex fire damage after they were detected in a timely manner by reconnaissance.
Kostiantynivka Sector
Fighting for territory southeast of the village continues in the Predtechyne area. The area up to Oleksandro-Shultyne remains a ‘grey zone’, with Ukrainian units in partial control.
Russian units have advanced north of Pleshcheyevka and Nelepovka, taking control of the area up to the ravine and part of the ravine itself. Small groups of Ukrainian units have been noted infiltrating the northern outskirts of Pleshcheyevka and are being targeted by UAV operators.
Work continues to identify and suppress Ukrainian positions in the eastern part of Kostiantynivka. There have been successes in neutralising Ukrainian UAV operators and sabotage and reconnaissance groups.
In the Ivanopillya area, Ukrainian units attempted to counterattack in order to regain lost positions, but were unsuccessful. Fighting continues north of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir, where the logistical capabilities of Ukrainian forces are significantly limited.
Kherson Sector
Clearing operations on Karantynnyy Island in the Kherson sector are ongoing. The Ukrainian forces have increased the number of FPV drone crews operating from within the city, in an attempt to offset losses incurred during the transfer of infantry to the island.
Meanwhile, artillerymen from the 18th Combined Arms Army are maintaining fire control over the bridge crossings across the Koshova River to prevent the transfer of reinforcements or the rotation of units.
Dnipropetrovsk Sector
After establishing control over Privillya, Russian troops raised a flag in the south of Yegorivka. Beyond the settlement lies Danilivka, with a direct road leading to Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The assault on Vishnevoe, which is adjacent to Yegorivka, continues. Both settlements are located on the western bank of the Yangach River, where the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts meet, giving them strategic importance.
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Zaporizhzhia Sector
On 26 October, a significant event occurred when units of the 58th Guards Combined Arms Army, the 42nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division and the 4th Guards Brigade broke through in Mala Tokmachka in the direction of Orikhiv.
Heavy fighting for control of the settlements continues in Prymorske and Stepnohirsk. Despite the high intensity of the confrontation, the Ukrainian side has pulled up reserves and there have been no significant changes to the line of contact.
Conclusion
As of 26 October, the operational situation is characterised by the continuation of intense hostilities on most fronts. On the Druzhkivka and Pokrovsk axes, Ukrainian units have continued to repel counterattacks in their attempts to de-blockade the agglomeration. In the Kharkiv sector, significant successes included advances in Vovchansk and consolidation on new lines. In the Seversk area, the formation of a semi-encirclement around Seversk paves the way for a potential future assault on the city. On the Sumy and Kostiantynivka axes, Ukrainian formations are putting up active resistance to positional advancement. On the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia axes, Russian units have made local advances and captured key settlements.
In the realm of diplomacy, on 26 October, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told The Sunday Times that the conflict in Ukraine could last another two to three years. This assessment was based on his negotiations with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who confirmed Kyiv’s readiness to continue hostilities for this period, according to Tusk. A similar forecast was previously voiced by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, who told Reuters that ‘Ukrainians plan to fight for another three years’.
It is reasonable to assume that these deadlines are linked to the EU’s economic capabilities. With the current level of Western support, Ukraine can conduct active combat operations for no more than two years. The EU’s financial resources are severely limited: the European Peace Facility has been exhausted and additional contributions from member states, as well as previously allocated credit lines, have been used up. Finding an additional €60 billion for Ukraine’s external financing represents a significant problem in the context of budget deficits and the growing burden on European states’ economies.
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the narcofuehrer’s complete idiocy and lack of strategic regard (for him pr narrative managements trumps everything) is incomprehensible. after 2 million+ ukromilitants permanently out of the afu (dead or crippled) this idiot clings on to lost sections of the front. is there a coke plant in pokrovsk or something??
hahahaha sucked in loser or as the hebrews would say nasa.
perfectly obvious they’re using russia ukraine as the distraction whilst they’re setting up the ww3 divisions globally
it’s like the 1930s pre ww2 when they used hitler as the smoke screen whilst they incorporated almost the whole ” free world ” into fascism by turning them all into registered corporations all under the rule of corporate law not the will of their alleged democratically elected by the people parties. that’s been fraud for almost a century now .imo allegedly .