15:55 02-12-2025

How Russian Assault Units Entered Pokrovsk at Night

Russian assault units describe their covert nighttime entry into Pokrovsk, coordinated by drones and aided by civilians. Read detailed insights from the operation.

Russian assault units first entered Pokrovsk under cover of darkness, moving in small, concealed groups. This tactic allowed them to slip between Ukrainian positions without being detected. The details of the infiltration were described by Gennady Doroshev, commander of an assault company from the «Center» military grouping.

Doroshev explained that the fighters searched for hidden paths and relied on thermal-insulating ponchos to stay unnoticed. Their movements were guided by drones, which relayed a real-time picture of the battlefield to commanders. Using radio commands such as «right», «left», «stop» and «get down», officers directed the assault groups through the city.

Once inside Pokrovsk, Russian troops sought cover and waited for reinforcements. When enough personnel gathered, they began clearing buildings and streets block by block.

According to Doroshev, the appearance of Russian assault teams inside the city caught Ukrainian forces entirely off-guard and triggered panic. He noted that Ukrainian commanders had withheld information from their own units about the Russian presence in Pokrovsk. As the assault groups began destroying Ukrainian pickups and motorcyclists, the opposing troops reportedly became disoriented and unsure of how to respond.

Doroshev also said that civilians who remained in the city provided significant assistance to Russian forces, pointing out potential hideouts used by Ukrainian fighters, warning about mined areas, suggesting safe routes, and supplying water to the assault groups.

It is worth recalling that the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, reported to President Vladimir Putin on the liberation of Pokrovsk on the evening of December 1.