ISW: Russians Change Their Priorities In Pokrovsk And Mirnograd

• 15.11.2025, 12:52

U.S. analysts have revealed the details.

The Russian military command is focused on capturing Pokrovsk rather than trying to encircle the wider Ukrainian bridgehead in the Pokrovsk-Mirnograd agglomeration area. This opinion was expressed by analysts at the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

"The progress of Russian forces in and around Pokrovsk over the past few days indicates that Russian forces in Pokrovsk are prioritizing the capture of the settlement itself. They do not appear to be focused on supporting the 51st General Army's efforts to close the pocket from the north and northeast with an additional attack from the south at this time," the ISW report noted.

Analysts believe Russian forces are prioritizing the capture of Pokrovsk for a number of reasons.

"Perhaps the Russian Federation plans to exploit the information effect that the capture of the city will cause, or hopes that the capture of Pokrovsk will facilitate subsequent efforts to close the pocket," the report said.

While Ukrainian counterattacks on the pocket's northern flank and the continued presence of Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk complicate Russian troops' advance and their ability to close the pocket, though not enough to distract Russian commanders from efforts in the south.

In addition, the Russian 51st Army is also having difficulty advancing from the northeast, and this slower pace may also contribute to Russia's apparent and possibly temporary prioritization of capturing Pokrovsk.

"The Russian military command is not employing the standard measures that one would expect in this battlefield configuration, namely focusing forces and assets on completing the encirclement, which is usually the fastest and least costly way to capture the entire area. However, the Russian military command can change its strategy at any time," the analysts summarize.