Russian threats to approach Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway, AFU officer says
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Ukraine
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Russian threats to approach Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway, AFU officer says

Military Armed Forces of Ukraine
Source:  Channel 24

According to Yevhen Ievlev, a military officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as a result of constant assaults by the occupation army of the Russian Federation and efforts to advance in Donetsk region, there is a threat to the strategically important Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway.

Points of attention

  • The Russian army's approach to the Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway poses a threat to the logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donetsk region.
  • The Ukrainian military has alternative logistical routes in place to address the potential seizure of the highway by the Russian army.
  • Despite attempts by the Russian occupiers to advance towards Toretsk, the Ukrainian military is putting up strong resistance on multiple fronts to thwart their efforts.
  • The Russian invaders are strategically targeting Toretsk, but are facing challenges in launching frontal attacks as the Ukrainian military is prepared to defend its territory.
  • The Armed Forces of Ukraine are actively working to prevent the advance of the Russian army towards the Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway, which holds significant military importance.

Do the Armed Forces have alternative logistical routes in case of seizure of the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway by the Russian army

Ievlev emphasized that this route is strategically important for the logistics of the Armed Forces in the area, but there are also alternative routes of supply.

Donbas has been at war for ten years, not two and a half. A lot of trails have been created during this time. The enemy will not be able to capture and control all. There are paths in the fields that are even better than asphalt roads, - explains the soldier.

He noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are currently trying to prevent the advance of the Russian invaders towards the Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway, but in the event that it is captured by criminals from the Russian army, the Ukrainian military will not have major problems with security.

Yevhen Ievlev added that this route is very important militarily, because it opens the frontiers to the right to Kostyantynivka, and to the left to Pokrovsk, but it does not significantly affect logistics.

Why is the Russian army so stubbornly rushing towards Toretsk?

The guys from our unit passed through Vugledar, Stepove, Avdiivka, and I will tell you that now the biggest crowd from all sides is in our direction, - notes Ievlev.

He added that this is not the biggest combat clash during the war, but the direction is obviously a priority for the occupiers, and here they are developing active combat operations.

At the same time, the military officer emphasized that the Russian invaders are unable to launch frontal attacks towards Toretsk.

The enemy, realizing how difficult it would be to move directly towards us, had a tactical plan to reach the Kostyantynivka - Pokrovsk highway from Ocheretyn, break through Chasiv Yar, close the ring and surround our group of troops. However, the occupiers never managed to advance. They have no significant success, so they have only one tactic left - to feel the front and hope that it will collapse somewhere. The Russians "groped" such a city (Toretsk) and we have a certain problem. There was a probing battle, they saw that they had found a weak spot where they could "drive stakes". That's how they killed them, - emphasizes the military officer of the ZSU.

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Ukraine
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Ukraine returned 1,358 Ukrainians from Russian captivity in 2024

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine
Ukraine returned 1,358 Ukrainians from Russian captivity in 2024

Ukrainian intelligence has calculated the number of citizens released from Russian captivity during 2024. Compared to 2023, 356 more people were returned to Ukraine.

Points of attention

  • Ukraine successfully released 1,358 Ukrainians from Russian captivity during 2024.
  • The number of citizens who were successfully returned increased by 356 people compared to the previous year.
  • 11 prisoner exchanges took place in 2024, making it one of the largest exchanges since February 24, 2022.
  • Defenders of various military units, including Azovstal, were among the liberated Ukrainians.
  • Ukrainian search operations and negotiations indicate an increase in the effectiveness of intelligence work aimed at releasing prisoners.

How many Ukrainians were released from Russian captivity in 2024

It was a difficult but productive year. We were able to lay off 356 more people than the previous year.

Kirill Budanov

Kirill Budanov

Head of the GUR

According to intelligence data, in 2024, Ukraine conducted 11 exchanges, as a result of which 1,358 Ukrainians were released from Russian captivity.

In addition, the number of returned bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers has increased significantly.

"We were able to agree on the return of three times the number of bodies of our defenders compared to the previous year," said Andriy Yusov, Deputy Head of the Coordination Headquarters.

According to him, more successful search operations and negotiations indicate an increase in the effectiveness of work in this direction.

Ukraine returns 189 of its citizens from Russian captivity

On December 30, a new large-scale prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and the aggressor country, Russia.

Among those released are defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, the Chernobyl NPP, Zmiyny Island, from various directions of the front: soldiers, sergeants, officers.

It was also possible to rescue National Guard members from Russian captivity, including "Azovites", border guards, Teroboronivtsi, and soldiers of the Navy and Armed Forces.

And also two civilians who were captured in Mariupol. Everyone has their relatives and friends waiting for them at home. And it is a joy that we managed to return them. Today, 189 more families are happy. We are working to free each and every one from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone.

What is important to understand is that this is one of the largest exchanges conducted by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War since February 24, 2022.

The headquarters, together with the command center of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, was able to save:

  • 87 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (17 of them — TRO),

  • 43 — NSU,

  • 33 — State State Administration of Ukraine,

  • 24 — Navy.

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