(DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian paratroopers from the 7th Air Assault Corps say that fighting over the past week near the Pokrovsk area has resulted in heavy Russian losses, with around 370 soldiers reported killed or wounded. The clashes underline the intensity of Russia’s continued efforts to break through Ukrainian defences in this strategically important part of the Donetsk region.
According to Ukrainian military sources, the Russian dictator’s elite 76th Airborne Division has suffered particularly severe losses during repeated assault operations. Ukrainian officials say the scale of the casualties has forced Russian commanders to consider phased reinforcements by the end of the month, reflecting growing pressure on frontline units and difficulties in sustaining offensive momentum.
Despite persistent Russian attacks, Ukrainian forces report that they are holding their positions near the area of Myrnohrad. Control of these positions is described as critical in preventing Russian forces from building up troops and equipment on the north western approaches to Pokrovsk. By denying space for concentration and manoeuvre, Ukrainian units say they are disrupting Russian operational planning and slowing any advance.
The situation around Pokrovsk remains tense, but Ukrainian defenders continue to rely on layered defensive lines, precision fire and mobile units to absorb attacks and inflict losses. Ukrainian military officials say that for now the front line is holding, while Russian attempts to alter the balance in this sector are coming at an increasingly high cost.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian National Guard units report continued urban operations against remaining Russian forces in contested towns. Fighters from the reconnaissance and strike group of the fourth battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine’s Khartiia Brigade are conducting methodical clearing operations, advancing block by block to remove isolated Russian positions left behind after earlier breakthroughs.
These operations are described as slow and high risk, with small assault teams supported by drones, snipers and precision fire moving through damaged residential, industrial and underground areas where Russian troops have attempted to regroup. Rather than rapid advances, Ukrainian units are focusing on intelligence dominance, using constant aerial surveillance to detect movement and reduce the risk of ambush.
The Khartiia Brigade, formed as part of Ukraine’s expanded National Guard combat formations, has increasingly been deployed in complex urban environments where coordination and flexibility are seen as more important than numerical strength. Ukrainian commanders say this reflects a broader tactical approach of isolating enemy groups, cutting supply and escape routes, and forcing Russian units to withdraw or surrender.
For Russian forces, Ukrainian officials say the situation inside these urban areas has become increasingly difficult. Disrupted logistics, weak communication and limited armoured support have left small groups exposed. Each cleared block further reduces Russia’s ability to claim control, gather intelligence or launch counterattacks. As operations continue, these areas are gradually transitioning from active battle zones into more secure rear areas, easing pressure on the front line and freeing Ukrainian forces for future operations.
In a separate development, footage emerging from Iran has shown renewed anti regime demonstrations and a harsh response by security forces in the capital Tehran in early January. Human rights groups report mass arrests, hospital raids and executions across multiple prisons as nationwide protests continue amid internet disruptions. Iranian authorities have issued warnings to protesters to surrender, while rights organisations say many cases of deaths and injuries remain unrecorded due to fear and restricted access to information.
On the international stage, Denmark has confirmed the deployment of a limited number of troops to Greenland, citing security concerns. Danish officials said senior military commanders were among those sent to the island as part of the move.
In the United States, Reuters reported that around 1,500 soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed on high alert amid escalating protests in Minnesota following immigration enforcement operations. Two infantry battalions trained in highly mobile operations are on standby for possible deployment. The unrest followed the death of a 37 year old woman during an incident involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis on January 7.
The Donald Trump administration has signalled its willingness to invoke the Insurrection Act, arguing that military involvement may be needed to protect federal personnel and property. Pentagon officials noted that the president has authority to deploy troops to safeguard federal facilities even without formally invoking the act. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has opposed the use of regular army units, warning it could escalate tensions, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has mobilised the National Guard to maintain order. No final decision has yet been made on deploying the Alaska based troops, which remain on standby.
