Russian troops suddenly retreated when Ukrainian troops realized thermobaric bombs had fallen.
Russian troops northeast of Pokrovsk suddenly withdrew, when the Ukrainians realized that thermobaric bombs had fallen; the Russians began to close the siege on Kostiantynivka.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•24/08/2025
On August 21, Russian media reported that fierce fighting broke out in the northern Pokrovsk region and the area of the town of Rodinske. Although videos of the activities of armed forces of both sides in the area have been posted online from time to time, reliable information about the areas controlled by both sides remains very limited. To the north of the Dobropilya “rock”, after the surprise attack from August 11-14 by the Russian army (RFAF), the Ukrainian army (AFU) had to mobilize the elite 1st Azov Corps and many other units to try to stabilize the front.
With the RFAF breaking through Ukrainian defensive positions south of Rodinske, the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad perimeter is rapidly shrinking inward. However, the Russian offensive on Myrnohrad has not yet relieved the pressure on their breakthrough forces north of Pokrovsk. For nearly a week, Ukrainian special forces and international mercenaries were deployed to surround and suppress four Russian breakthrough force strongholds north of the railway line. However, Russian troops south of the railway line failed to cross the railway line as planned and were unable to join forces with their forces that had penetrated deep into the AFU rear. By the evening of the 19th, four Russian commando positions north of the Pokrovsk railway suddenly fell silent. Ukrainian reconnaissance drones showed that all invading Russian troops had retreated, with no casualties or bodies at the scene; the heavy weapons had also withdrawn safely. Following this, the AFU announced that Russian breakout groups had been eliminated from the northern part of Pokrovsk, and their logistical supply to the city had improved. Currently, with the exception of the southern Zelenivka district, which remains under Russian control, all areas of Pokrovsk have been “cleared” of Russian reconnaissance and sabotage groups. In fact, the AFU's use of the term "purge" is somewhat of an exaggeration, as the Russians had infiltrated north of Pokrovsk and established a military base there using underground bunkers, and now they were using them to retreat unharmed. The RFAF's retreat tactics, which had left both the Azov Corps and the mercenaries baffled.
But before the AFU could “get a handle on the situation,” the Russian TOS-1A heavy thermobaric artillery shelling began to pour down like a waterfall. Russian media reported that on the evening of August 19, the RFAF launched a major attack north of Pokrovsk using TOS-1A rocket artillery systems, causing heavy losses in enemy weapons and personnel. Footage of the attack, showing fires raging in several areas north of the Pokrovsk railway line. The Russian tactic is familiar: when they cannot effectively control an area, they retreat, turning it into a “grey zone”, luring Ukrainian forces to occupy it, before suddenly launching a fierce attack. After that, the Russian army will continuously use this "lure and destroy" tactic, continuously exhausting the Ukrainian army like a meat grinder. In fact, the AFU General Staff is withdrawing troops from Konstantinivka to reinforce the city of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, next to Pokrovsk, the city of Kostiantynivka is also being surrounded by the RFAF. The Russian Military Review reported that RFAF assault units have cleared the “casserole” between the settlements of Predtechino and Aleksandro-Shultino east of Konstantinovka. The surviving Ukrainian troops were forced to retreat in disarray to Konstantinovka. In addition, according to some sources, the RFAF's forward units entered Konstantinovka from the Predtechino bridgehead. Control was firmly established up to Volkhovskaya Street, fighting began in the area of Samarkandskaya Street.
In addition, the RFAF is “confidently” forming another “simmering pot” – this time in the Shakhovo area. This is a tactic that has proven highly effective many times, causing great damage to the Ukrainian army, but the downside is the slow pace of advance. According to analytical channels, after Chasov Yar was completely overrun by the RFAF, they began the active phase of the assault on Konstantinivka. This small city, which is a key node in the AFU defense system, on the approaches to the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk cluster. If Kiev loses Konstantinovka to Russia, it will mean that the “Donetsk Defense Arc” will be seriously “damaged”. At this time, not only Kramatorsk-Slavyansk is threatened, but also the safety of the city of Pokrovsk.
In addition, the RFAF’s complete control of Chasov Yar also freed up some of their reserves, thus opening up the opportunity to simultaneously increase pressure on several sectors of the front. At the same time, Konstantinovka, like Alekseevo-Druzhkovka or Druzhkovka, is located 100 meters below Chasov Yar, allowing them to effectively suppress the Ukrainian forces in this city with artillery fire. (photo source: Military Review, Kyiv Post, Sputnik). The Russian Air Force accurately bombed the Ukrainian army's positions in the city of Myrnohrad with FAB-3000 bombs. Source: Military Review
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