Categories: WAR NEWS

Pishchane liberated – situation overview near Pokrovsk

Pishchane, a village located 5 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, was liberated from the enemy as a result of battles between February 2 and 6. Over 80 Russian occupiers from the 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces were destroyed during the fighting. While there were also Ukrainian losses, they are significantly smaller compared to the Russian casualties.

The first to enter the village were the soldiers of the 425th Assault Regiment “Skala.” After the 425th destroyed and captured the enemy’s main strongholds, additional support was provided by soldiers of the 210th Battalion of the 120th Territorial Defense Brigade and the 32nd Mechanized Brigade, who finished off the enemy and secured the success.

Some groups of the enemy are still being cleared from the outskirts of the village, as they attempt to regain their positions.

The 425th Assault Regiment is a reserve unit of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi. The counterattack was conducted on his order. The overall command was provided by the Commander of the Operational and Tactical Group (OTU) “Donetsk,” Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, and the Commander of the Tactical Group “Pokrovsk,” Oleksandr Bakulin.

However, it is important to reflect, with a clear mind and without excessive euphoria, on all the worthy participants in the operation, highlight the factors that ensured success, and address the issues that still exist in this area of defense.

Pishchane was liberated by the 425th Assault Regiment for the fourth time in the last two months, not the first. Previously, separate Russian assault groups had entered the village, “Skala” would clear them, then another unit would be stationed to defend the village. However, due to obvious problems in organization and management, these units would retreat, reinforcements were unavailable, and the enemy would retake the village. One of the landing areas near Pishchane was cleared by the 425th Assault Regiment 14 times.

The fourth storming of Pishchane was a complex operation, as the Russians had deployed significant forces to defend it, established strong positions, and put up fierce resistance.

The key factor of the operation was not the quantity but the quality of organization, preparation, and the will of the Ukrainian infantry and the 425th Assault Regiment staff. Significant changes were made in planning, management, and drone cooperation ahead of the operation at the OTU and TG levels.

Firstly, the commander of the 425th Assault Regiment, Yurii Harkavyi, received sensible support and some freedom in planning from the commanders of the OTU and TG, which allowed for effective preparation of assault groups composed of ordinary mobilized soldiers and the swift execution of the attack plan.

Secondly, the commander of the OTU, Tarnavskyi, engaged experts to improve drone operations and established a joint fire support center, appointing Commander Serhii Zhuk of the 55th Artillery Brigade. For drone management, one of the commanders of the Special Forces Unit “Lazar” of the National Guard, K. Bondarenko, was appointed, ensuring that the use of primary strike assets was entrusted to competent and motivated officers.

Thirdly, by Syrskyi’s decision, high-quality and motivated drone units with competent commanders and operators from the following units were concentrated to support the forces at Pishchane:

414th Brigade “Madjar’s Birds” of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
“Brodyagy” Unit 411th Regiment “Hawks” of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
412th Regiment “Nemezis” of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
CSO of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)
“Charlie” Unit of the 190th National Reserve Center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
425th Assault Regiment “Skala”
32nd Mechanized Brigade
Special Forces of the Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense
55th Artillery Brigade
Special Operations Forces “Lazar” of the National Guard

The enemy felt the quality changes in drone planning and application, and this is an important experience that needs to be scaled and applied to other areas. This was not a random success based on character; it was a systematic and coordinated effort that deserves recognition.

At Pishchane, a layered drone front was established, with a controlled system, allowing the mission to be carried out effectively despite high activity and massive strikes from Russian drones and artillery. All of this was accomplished in a short timeframe, driven by the enthusiasm and motivation of the drone unit commanders, who found common ground, coordinated effectively, and, without sleep or rest, supported our heroic infantry. Well-trained and well-equipped infantry were able to brilliantly execute the toughest tasks.

Yuriy Butusov