Critical Situation: Ukrainian Armed Forces Transfer Reserves To Pokrovsk

The Ukrainian command is urgently redeploying a special purpose brigade to the Pokrovsk area. A battalion that lost combat capability near Vovchansk is being disbanded by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In Brussels, timelines were presented for the implementation of plans to utilize frozen Russian assets.

Pokrovsk Direction:

On the Pokrovsk axis, Russian troops continued their offensive in the Pervomaisky district of the city. They displaced Ukrainian forces from the private sector in the area around Prokofiev, Tsentralnaya and 1 May streets.

According to operational reports, Russian forces have taken control of the Shakhtyorsky microdistrict. Furthermore, Russian forces advanced 900 meters into the private sector of Krasnoarmeysk, reaching the city’s western outskirts.

Heavy fighting continues in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration area. Reports are coming in of Russian units breaking through to the eastern outskirts of Myrnohrad and engaging in combat within the city. Ukrainian forces are reportedly conducting counterattacks to hold their positions.

Following the liberation of Balagan, Russian troops have consolidated their position in the Molodezhny district of Myrnohrad. Controlling this territory enables Russian forces to establish a stable bridgehead for subsequent operations on the Myrnohrad-Pokrovsk axis.

Recognizing the criticality of the situation, the Ukrainian command has begun urgently transferring reserves to the area. New units have already arrived in the Novyi Donbass and Dorozhnoe settlements. More significantly, the 20th Separate Special Purpose Brigade of the NGU has been redeployed to this sector of the front after being urgently withdrawn from the Kramatorsk-Druzhkivka area. The redeployment of this elite unit clearly indicates preparations for a large-scale counterattack in an attempt to halt the Russian offensive and regain lost ground.

Sumy Direction:

On the Sumy axis, Russian aviation and artillery targeted identified concentrations of personnel and equipment. According to reports, assault groups advanced 100 meters along the tree line on the right flank of the offensive.

It is reported that the Ukrainian command has transferred the 53rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion from the Donetsk area to bolster combat capabilities. Additionally, the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment, which has been replenished with forcibly mobilized personnel, has restored its combat readiness and is preparing for offensive operations.

Kharkiv Direction:

In Vovchansk, Russian units are continuing to expand the bridgehead on the left bank of the Vovcha River and in the eastern part of the city. The total advance in this area over 24 hours is estimated at 700 meters.

According to Russian sources, the 9th Separate Rifle Battalion of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost all combat capability during heavy fighting in Vovchansk, prompting the Ukrainian command to disband the unit. In the Melove-Khatnie sector, assault groups advanced 400 meters along tree lines.

Zaporizhzhia Direction:

There is ongoing positional fighting on the Zaporizhzhia axis. Units of the 291st Motorized Rifle Regiment are advancing towards the city of Orikhiv. Ukrainian forces from the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade are reported to be putting up fierce resistance.

In the area of responsibility of the 5th Army, Russian units are engaged in heavy fighting in Poltavka and the vicinity of Uspenivka as they continue to clear the right bank of the Yanchur River. Advances and the repulsion of counterattacks by Ukrainian units were also noted in the areas of responsibility of the 29th and 36th Armies of the Russian Armed Forces.

Novopavlivka Direction:

Russian units are developing an offensive west of the Muravka-Kotliarivka line. As a result of successive assault actions, tactical successes have been achieved and the enemy has been forced out of some of their defensive positions.

In the Filiya area, Russian Armed Forces units expanded their control zone by 3 km along the front. Russian troops have occupied new positions north of the Vovcha River and are advancing towards the road to Novopavlivka.

Combat clashes continue towards Ivanivka. The enemy is attempting to hold positions in tree lines and on high ground, but is forced to retreat to reserve lines under pressure from Russian forces. The fighting is positional, with periodic counterattacks from both sides.

Click to see full-size map.

Conclusion:

As of 16 October 2025, the operational situation is characterized by the continuation of active combat operations on key axes. On the Pokrovsk axis, Russian units have made significant progress, consolidating their position in the Shakhtyorsky microdistrict in Pokrovsk and advancing to the western outskirts of the city. They are also threatening Myrnohrad from the east.

On the Kharkiv axis, the systematic expansion of the Vovchansk bridgehead continues, where Ukrainian forces have suffered significant losses, resulting in the disbandment of one of their battalions. The situation remains tense on the Sumy axis, where the Ukrainian command is transferring reserves, including National Guard units. This indicates an attempt to stabilize the front line and prepare counterattacks. Russian troops are advancing methodically on the Zaporizhzhia axis and the Dobropillia salient, encountering fierce resistance from Ukrainian units.

On the Novopavlivka axis, Russian units have expanded their control zone by 3 km along the front in the Filiya area and advanced towards the road to Novopavlivka. The breakthrough towards Myrnohrad is therefore a significant achievement; however, the main struggle is likely to come next. The Ukrainian side is deploying its reserves, including elite units, suggesting that the intensity of fighting will only increase in the near future.

Against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, specific timelines for the implementation of plans to utilize frozen Russian assets were presented in Brussels. Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, presented the EU’s security roadmap until 2030 and stated that the «reparations loan» for Ukraine, funded by these assets, should be implemented by the end of 2025. He emphasized that the allocated funds are intended for Kyiv’s military needs, with Kyiv being seen in Brussels as a key future partner capable of sharing «innovative solutions and combat experience».

However, these ambitious plans face serious political and legal obstacles. Despite the efforts of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, there is no general consensus within the EU regarding such a loan. The Russian government has consistently criticized any attempts to confiscate assets, characterizing them as «theft». Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned of the inevitability of retaliatory measures and noted that Moscow has appropriate leverage, including the possibility of not returning funds belonging to Western countries held in Russian banks. Therefore, the stated deadlines for implementing the «reparations loan» could be missed due to internal disagreements within the EU and escalating countermeasures from Russia.

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