British intelligence confirmed that the Russians had slowed down in the Pokrovsk direction

Pokrovsk remains the main target of Russian forces, but Ukrainian Defense Forces have managed to slow down Russia’s advance in this direction.

This comes from a British Ministry of Defence intelligence review on the Russo-Ukrainian war.

British analysts noted that Russia has likely captured Hrodivka, located east of Pokrovsk, and Ukrainsk, to the south. Russian forces remain about 8 km away from Pokrovsk.

However, Ukrainian reinforcements, urban areas, and defensive structures have likely contributed to the slowdown of Russia’s advance in this area over the past week, according to the review.

Meanwhile, in the northeastern part of Kharkiv region, Russian forces have advanced west of the village of Pishchane. They now occupy a small salient about 3.5 km from the Oskil River.

It is likely that Russian forces aim to reach the eastern bank of the Oskil River to use it as a natural defensive barrier and create conditions for future operations.

In early September, British intelligence reported accelerated Russian advances toward Pokrovsk.

The August increase in Russian military casualties has been attributed, in part, to the sustained pressure on the Pokrovsk front.

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