The latest Russian advances around Pokrovsk mark the culmination of a 21-month offensive. According to the analysis of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Moscow's successes in this sector are mainly due to targeted actions against Ukrainian drones. A Ukrainian unit operating in the Pokrovsk direction reports that Russian forces are deploying about 100 small fire groups of up to three fighters daily, which systematically overload Ukrainian positions and limit the possibilities for using drones.
Military observer Konstantin Mashovets notes that Russia is applying specific tactics that weaken the coordination and effectiveness of Ukrainian defense. This is consistent with ISW’s observations of the increasing activity of Russian infiltration missions. On November 4, Mashovets revealed that Russia had established the “Rubikon” Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies, primarily aimed at combating Ukrainian drone operators.
However, Russian methods have not proven to be equally effective across the entire front line and cannot yet be widely applied in other combat zones. Attempts to advance have also been recorded near Kupyansk, but Russian forces have failed to achieve the same level of breakthroughs seen near Pokrovsk — partly due to the open terrain and limited manpower.
Geolocated footage from November 3 and 4 shows Russian units continuing to advance in the northwestern, northern, and northeastern regions of Pokrovsk. Russian military bloggers even claim that the advance has expanded beyond the documented positions. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, there are about 300 Russian soldiers operating in the Pokrovsk region, and nearly 30% of active combat operations on the front are taking place there.
Ukrainian forces are continuing defensive operations. The Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (GUR) reported that on October 31, a helicopter attack was carried out west of Pokrovsk, and on November 4, an FP-2 drone strike was carried out on the headquarters of the Russian “Rubikon” center in occupied Avdiivka, eliminating Russian officers and drone operators.
On November 4, President Vladimir Putin signed two laws aimed at facilitating the use of reserves in the context of a prolonged war with Ukraine and a potential conflict with NATO. One law stipulates that administrative processes for military service in Russia will be carried out year-round, instead of only during the traditional spring and autumn cycles. The new regime will come into effect on 1 January 2026 and aims to speed up recruitment, medical examinations and meetings of draft boards. According to ISW, this decision will help the Kremlin overcome bureaucratic obstacles to mobilization and increase the size of the army more effectively.
Putin also signed a second law requiring active reservists to undergo special training to protect critical infrastructure in Russia.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to commit war crimes against the civilian population. Ukrainian sources report that on 3 November near the village of Krukhlyakovka, northeast of Borova, a Russian drone killed two civilians walking their dog and carrying a white flag. Ukrainian forces have not been able to evacuate or identify the bodies.
Such actions violate the international law principle of distinction, which prohibits attacks on civilians. ISW emphasizes that the Russian military command systematically allows and even encourages such crimes on the battlefield.