The coming weeks will reveal how Russians plan to assault Pokrovsk, according to Forbes.

Russian troops are preparing to advance on Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. This operation could mark the culmination of the Russian offensive in this direction.

This information is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Forbes.

The publication notes that the manner in which the Russians will advance in the Donetsk region depends on whether they can eliminate the Ukrainian military positions around Kurakhovo, which is east of Velyka Novosilka. It is highlighted that the Ukrainian forces at the position may threaten the supply lines of the Russians advancing on Pokrovsk from the north.

According to Forbes, up to nine Russian regiments and brigades have been assembled there, with a maximum strength of up to 18,000 soldiers. Meanwhile, the Russians continue to employ mechanized and infantry assaults. This allows them to make slow progress into the eastern and central parts of Kurakhovo and south of Kurakhovo. The worst-case scenario for Ukraine would be a "breakthrough" by Russian troops between the two villages to the north, which would cut off the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the east.

Forbes states that if the Ukrainian forces retreat, Russian troops will "straighten" the front line from the south to the north, from Velyka Novosilka to Pokrovsk. This would reduce the threat to their flanks as they attempt to besiege Pokrovsk.

However, if the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) maintain their positions, the Russians might choose to risk their flanks and still attack Pokrovsk. The publication believes that how soon a siege may begin depends on various factors.

This could be influenced by winter weather, as well as the possibility that the administration of elected U.S. President Donald Trump might cease assistance to Ukraine, depriving Ukrainian forces of critically important weaponry.

Forbes believes that the coming weeks will determine how the Russian Armed Forces will attack Pokrovsk. However, the overall situation makes it clear that they will definitely launch an attack.

Updated 13:44. It should be noted that the Ukrainian Defense Forces officially reported the number of personnel of the Russian troops involved in offensive actions across three tactical directions, namely Pokrovsk, Kurakhovo, and Vremivka.

As stated by Nazar Voloshin, a representative of the operational-strategic grouping of troops "Khortytsia," forces and assets from the following Russian groupings are involved: "Center," "South," and "East."

"In the Pokrovsk direction, there are over 70,000, around 35-36 thousand in the Kurakhovo direction, and over 40,000 in the Vremivka direction, as the Russian army attempts to mobilize for combat operations," Voloshin reported.

The Situation at the Front and U.S. Military Assistance

The Pokrovsk direction remains one of the most challenging sections of the front. Russian troops are located approximately 11 km from the city, prompting local authorities to urge residents to evacuate.

According to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, the enemy has a significant advantage in manpower and equipment. More than 50 combat engagements occur daily, during which the Russians lose up to 300 soldiers.

Experts predict that the battle for Pokrovsk may begin in the near future.

Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the AFU will further strengthen the Pokrovsk direction.