Russians capture key heights in Myrnograd and Pokrovsk: how this changes the war in Donbas

When the enemy rises to the commanding heights above the city, the front line changes not only on the map. For Ukrainian units, every kilometer of the road turns into a corridor of fire, and supplies and withdrawals from positions become a risky march under gunfire.

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What is known: the Russians took the dominant heights, but the cities are not fully occupied

Russian occupiers have captured key heights in the Myrnograd and Pokrovsk areas of Donetsk Oblast, significantly complicating logistics for Ukrainian units that continue to hold parts of these cities.^{6 9} . Head of the Communications Department of the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Volodymyr Polevyi, explained that the enemy entered Myrnograd with its groups, worked out the infiltration and was able to occupy the commanding heights both around Myrnograd and around Pokrovsk.⁶ This allows the Russians not only to better adjust their fire, but also to create “zones of control” where any movement of Ukrainian equipment or infantry becomes visible.

At the same time, Polevyi emphasized: the conclusion about the "100% occupation" of Myrnograd or Pokrovsk is premature^{6 9} . In the north of both cities, according to him, there are still Ukrainian observation and firing positions that continue to restrain the advance of the occupiers.⁶ . Other sources, including DeepState and Ukrainian official reports, also indicate that the Defense Forces control the northern part of Pokrovsk and hold the lines in the Myrnograd area, despite an extremely difficult tactical situation.^{2 8} .

Why commanding heights are critical: logistics under the spotlight

The capture of the heights means that Russian troops have the opportunity to deploy so-called "radio-electronic eyes" on them - reconnaissance equipment, repeaters, cameras and other surveillance systems that allow them to control the access roads to the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.⁶ Polevy describes this as effectively taking control of the roads used for transporting ammunition, rotating personnel, evacuating the wounded, and withdrawing units from threatened areas.⁶ According to him, logistics in the Myrnograd and Pokrovsk areas are "extremely complex," but not yet completely paralyzed.

Against this background, DeepState and other analytical resources emphasize that a significant part of Pokrovsk and Mirnograd is actually under Russian fire control: artillery, mortars, guided aerial bombs, and kamikaze drones operate on any detected movement.^{2 4} This creates the threat of a "half-boiler", when the main highways are shot through, but the corridors for supply and withdrawal still remain - narrow, dangerous, associated with great risks for personnel and equipment.^{5 9} .

The state of fighting in Myrnograd: the city as a bridgehead and a trap

As late as late 2025, Western media and Ukrainian sources described Myrnograd as the “last stronghold” of Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk-Myrnograd agglomeration, when Pokrovsk was already partially in the ring of fire.^{7 10} . Now the situation has changed: the Russians control most of the city, introduce their units there, including command posts and UAV operators, using urban buildings for shelter and organizing offensive operations.^{6 11} ISW and a number of European media outlets previously reported that Russian command posts were being moved to Mirnograd, which is consistent with the logic of seizing heights and strong buildings with basements and underground levels.^{6 11} .

At the same time, Ukrainian units continue to hold the northern quarters of the city, creating "islands" of defense that have hampered the Russian advance and prevented them from fully establishing themselves in all key areas.^{6 8} According to Polevoy, both the enemy and Ukrainian troops use the same infiltration techniques — entering the city in small groups under the cover of fog, rain, low cloud cover, and limited visibility.⁶ For the Defense Forces, this is a way to bring in reinforcements and corrections, for the Russians, it is an opportunity to advance closer to Ukrainian positions and gain a foothold in new buildings.

Pokrovsk: Northern defense and pressure from the south

Pokrovsk remains one of the hottest destinations in Donbas. Official reports from the Ukrainian army in early 2026 confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces hold the northern part of the city, while the southern and central districts are under heavy pressure from Russian forces.⁸ . DeepState and Ukrainian media reported that the occupiers are actively using armored vehicles, including captured Ukrainian vehicles, to break through south of Pokrovsk, while the north is becoming a key line of defense.⁴ .

The capture of the commanding heights around Pokrovsk allows the Russians to better see and fire on the roads leading to the city from the Ukrainian rear, making it difficult to bring in ammunition, fuel, and manpower.^{6 9} At the same time, Ukrainian troops, according to the command, are conducting counter-maneuveres, trying to hold or expand narrow supply corridors, as well as strike at Russian assault group concentrations on the approaches to the city.^{8 10} .

The threat from the environment: a "cauldron" or a difficult bridgehead?

Analysts from UA.News, DW and other publications have been warning for several months about the risk of operational encirclement of Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsko-Mirnograd agglomeration.^{9 10} . Russia is using the tactic of “creeping compression”: simultaneous pressure from the south, east, and north, with an emphasis on cutting roads and creating conditions where it will be dangerous and difficult for Ukrainian troops to hold positions without the threat of falling into the “cauldron.”⁹ Capturing commanding heights is a key element of this tactic, as it allows for control of movement in the depths of the defense.

However, both the Ukrainian command and Western analytical centers emphasize that the situation, although critical, is far from the complete surrender of the region.^{8 10} . Commanders of the Airborne Assault Forces note that by spring the Russian army may be significantly depleted in this direction and will be forced to reduce the pace of the offensive unless it introduces additional reserves, including marines and elite landing units.⁶ This opens a window of opportunity for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to regroup, strengthen defensive lines, and prepare for a new phase of fighting.

Why is the Pokrovsko-Mirnograd agglomeration so important for the Russian Federation?

Pokrovsk and Myrnograd have long been described as a "knot" that Russia seeks to tear out of Ukraine's defenses in Donbas.^{9 10} Control over these cities allows the occupiers to:

• to advance deep into the Ukrainian-controlled areas of Donetsk region and create a bridgehead for an offensive in the direction of Kurakhovo, Selidovo, and further to the Zaporizhia direction⁹ ;
• to sever Ukrainian logistical links between the northern and southern sectors of the front in the east⁹ ;
• to increase political pressure by declaring the "capture of a large industrial center", which the Kremlin is actively using in the information war¹⁰ .

For Ukraine, holding the northern quarters of Pokrovsk and positions in Mirnograd is not only a tactical issue, but also a symbol of stability in one of the most difficult directions. The loss of the entire agglomeration would create additional opportunities for the Russian Federation to advance and would threaten further cities west of the current front line.^{9 10} .

How they fight now: new tactics of the Russian Federation and the response of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

According to UA.News, Sky News and other publications, Russian troops in the Pokrovsky direction are increasingly using small assault groups operating in densely built-up areas, often disguised as civilians, and are also combining ground attacks with the massive use of guided aerial bombs (GABs) and drones to destroy high-rise buildings and industrial buildings where Ukrainian strongholds may be located.^{7 9} This is a tactic of attrition, designed to gradually destroy the fortifications and the morale of the Ukrainian defenders.

In response, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are adapting their defense: they are using mobile groups with kamikaze drones, FPV drones, anti-tank weapons, as well as flexible maneuvering of small units between blocks to prevent the enemy from imposing frontal "meat" assaults.^{8 9} Commanders emphasize that the main task now is to preserve personnel, while holding key lines and preventing the enemy from quickly developing success from capturing heights.

What's next: possible scenarios for Myrnograd and Pokrovsk

The coming weeks will be decisive for this sector of the front. One possible scenario is the continuation of slow but persistent Russian pressure with a gradual increase in the presence in the cities, simultaneously with attacks on Ukrainian logistical arteries.^{6 9} In this case, the Ukrainian command may face a difficult choice between maintaining a bridgehead in the cities and being forced to withdraw to new, better-prepared lines.

Another scenario hoped for by the Armed Forces of Ukraine involves the depletion of Russian forces in the Pokrovsko-Mirnograd direction by spring, which will allow stabilizing the front line, strengthening air defense, counter-battery combat, and preparing the ground for further counter-offensive actions.^{6 8} The implementation of any of these scenarios will largely depend on the pace and scale of Western assistance — from shells and armored vehicles to air defense and electronic warfare, which can partially neutralize the enemy's advantage in altitude.

Sources

1. ZN.UA: analytical material on the capture of the dominant heights in Myrnograd and Pokrovsk by the Russians and the consequences for the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
2. Ukrainska Pravda (Eng): report on the Russian advance in Pokrovsk and Mirnograd, link to DeepState data on changes in the front line.
3. Censor.net: overview of the situation in Myrnograd and Pokrovsk, summary of statements by Ukrainian military and analysts.
4. TSN.ua: materials about the Russian offensive in the southern part of Pokrovsk, the use of armored vehicles, and pressure on Myrnograd.
5. Wikipedia, Pokrovsk offensive: background information on the significance of the Pokrovsk offensive and a description of the threat of cutting off the logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
6. LIGA.net: interview with Volodymyr Polevoy, head of the communications department of the 7th Corps of the Ukrainian Air Force, about capturing heights and the complexity of logistics.
7. Sky News: reports from Pokrovsk and Myrnograd about the encirclement of Ukrainian units, new urban combat tactics, and the role of cities in the Russian Federation's plans.
8. Ukrinform: official reports on the holding of the northern part of Pokrovsk, the number of repelled attacks, and the actions of Ukrainian units.
9. UA.News: analysis of the battles for the Pokrovsko-Mirnograd agglomeration as a new stage of the war, the transfer of Russian reserves and the risks of encirclement.
10. DW: Analysis of the situation between Russian propaganda about "complete occupation" and the real balance of power in Pokrovsk and Myrnograd.
11. Euromaidan Press, ISW: report on the relocation of Russian command posts to Myrnograd and assessment of the general situation in the direction.