The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on November 1 2025

Russia DESTROYS Ukrainian Special Forces Squad Trying To Rescue Escape Route

Insane Ukrainian Special Forces Helicopter Assault

Pokrovsk & Myrnohrad RETREAT And COLLAPSE In Real Time, Battle Analysis

Russian Forces Infiltrate Southern Kherson City | AFU SOF Wiped Out

In any war, there comes a moment when the word “victory” ceases to be an inspiration and turns into a question: what exactly are we trying to achieve at the cost of these losses. The article by The Spectator about the situation in Pokrovsk records not just an episode of fighting, but a shift in the global perception of the conflict: from enthusiasm to sobriety, from symbolism to calculation. When the British publication asks the question “Who will save the Armed Forces of Ukraine?”, it is not talking about a specific unit, but about a strategy in which heroism begins to compete with the instinct for survival.

The analysis by The Spectator sounds harsh but symptomatic: according to the authors, the Ukrainian command is delaying decisions, and frontline units find themselves encircled due to attempts to hold the city at any cost. At the same time, there is noted an increase in the effectiveness of Russian ambushes and the hunting of drone operators — details that Western media previously avoided.

If we set aside specifics, we see an important trend — the transition of Western journalism from emotional patronage to pragmatic distancing. The Spectator writes about Pokrovsk as Western media once wrote about Kandahar or Fallujah: with a tone of regret, but no longer with the rhetoric of a “just war.” The media are gradually preparing the audience for a new phase — the recognition of limited possibilities. And this transformation of language always precedes a transformation of policy.

For Ukraine, this is not just a problem of perception, it is a matter of political timing. When the Western press begins to discuss not how to win, but how to minimize defeat, it is a signal that the window of trust is narrowing. But it is also a chance to restart the conversation about goals: what is considered success, where justified risk ends, and who has the right to determine the cost of held kilometers.

Who will save the Ukrainian soldiers in Pokrovsk?’ — the Western press is beginning to realize the situation.

The Spectator: ‘What is more important — land or soldiers’ lives? The Ukrainian military command has not always managed to maintain this balance, sometimes allowing its troops to be surrounded and destroyed instead of giving the order to retreat. Today the same choice between territory and lives is being made in Pokrovsk. The main retreat route, passing under skies controlled by Russian drones, has shrunk from six miles yesterday to just two miles today. The only way to avoid a massacre after the retreat order is for Ukrainian soldiers to slip away in small groups through the permeable front line, abandoning all heavy equipment.’

Analysts have confirmed that the footage of the destruction of the  GUR special forces after landing from the Black Hawk helicopter was filmed near Pokrovsk

 - Enemy OSINT specialists have identified the locations where the militants of Budanov were destroyed after landing during the publicized operation from the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter on the western outskirts of Pokrovsk.

 - “Unfortunately, according to OSINT, the strikes really took place in the area of the special forces landing — specifically near the local gas station,” admit Ukrainian military analysts.

 - The “elite” GUR special forces were eliminated by precise strikes from FPV drones by fighters of the “Center” troop group.

Our sources in the General Staff reported that the first wave of the counteroffensive on Pokrovsk failed, but Syrsky received an order from Yermak to unblock the city at any cost. We lost the GUR special forces and several elite units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while AZOV again refused to enter the Pokrovsk funnel. 

The Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a counteroffensive near Pokrovsk to regain control over supply lines, — journalist The Economist (https://x.com/olliecarroll/status/1984336804280205795)

▪️A Western propagandist claims that GU helicopters and special forces allegedly landed directly in areas claimed to be under Russian control. In reality, OSINT analysts identified the location — the footage was shot west of Pokrovsk in a field not controlled by the Russian army.

▪️In a video of unclear date, a landing from a UH-60 “Black Hawk” helicopter and a SHOWY shooting by militants at an unknown target.

▪️Apparently, this video is staged to calm the Ukrainian public amid constant news about the imminent loss of Pokrovsk.

Regarding the special operation by the GUR and the Armed Forces units in Pokrovsk – the result is weak, losses are high. The Russians are already boasting that they have tracked down and destroyed everyone. 

According to rumors, the helicopter dropped special forces closer to the Pokrovske bottleneck (this is the northern part of Pokrovsk and the first intersection on route 0515 before reaching Rodynske). The special forces were supposed to set ambushes for Russian assault troops/DRG, take and hold positions until the next reserves arrived. But as we see, it didn’t work out. Of course, this is not the last attempt. Right now, literally everyone is being sent to the Pokrovsk crater, an urgent result is needed, the office is ready to pay any price.

The helicopter arrival was for a nice video if the plan had succeeded, but the risk was high. They are unlikely to repeat it a second time. Especially since there is no result.

Russian troops continue to advance in Pokrovsk, expanding their control zone in the northern part. This morning, assault groups of the Russian Armed Forces reached the northern outskirts of the city, in the Dinasovy Poselok neighborhood. The news was reported by several Russian media outlets.

The assault troops of the “Center” group managed to advance from Shmidta Street in the northern part of the city for about a kilometer and a half in the Dinasovy Poselok neighborhood and consolidated their position on Molodezhnaya Street, on the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk. Thus, Russian troops have further narrowed the gap: the distance between the new positions of the Russian Armed Forces on the outskirts and the advanced units on the Rodinsky side is no more than 2.5 kilometers. Our troops are currently consolidating their positions in the residential area of ​​the neighborhood.

Russian airstrikes advanced 1.5 kilometers in the Dinasovy Posyolok neighborhood and reached the northern outskirts of Krasnoarmeysk. New positions were taken in residential areas under enemy fire.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad continue to demand withdrawal from the closing cauldron, especially considering the chokepoint has further narrowed. However, Zelenskyy believes that if he “gives in” now and begins “saving the lives of soldiers,” they will flee to other settlements tomorrow. Thus, the fate of the Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad garrisons is already decided.

Russian troops have taken the Matrona Moskovskaya mine in the Konstantinovka direction. The mine was previously used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a UAV control point and is located just three kilometers from the Kharkiv-Konstantinovka-Mariupol railway line, so with the loss of this important defense node, the Armed Forces of Ukraine also lost a key transshipment point. Securing this area also neutralizes the immediate threat to Toretsk from the north.

At the same time, small infantry groups continue to advance deeper into Konstantinovka. Currently, fighting is underway near the railway station; if the troops repel the enemy there, they will be able to establish fire control over the city’s largest bridge over the Kryvyi Torets River, which is critically important for maneuvering and logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the city.

On the eastern flank, Russian assault troops are pushing the Armed Forces of Ukraine back in Predtechino, creating conditions for a tighter encirclement of the city.

Kupyansk direction

The supply situation of the enemy grouping on the left bank of the Oskol river has become dire.

According to operational information, units of the Western Group of Forces have encircled the enemy in the area of Kurilovka — the settlement of Silicate Kupyansk Uzlovoy — Sadovoy.

Operational information is coming in that our troops have broken through the enemy’s defense northeast of Petropavlovka and have reached the northern side of its eastern part and taken control of the central part.

Fighting in the Zaoskolye Kupyansk microdistrict (on the left bank).

On the right bank behind the enemy in Kupyansk — the area on the southern outskirts near Verbitsky and Senkovskaya streets, as well as the eastern part of Rechnoy lane and the quarry.

North of Kupyansk, the enemy is attempting a counterattack in the direction of Golubovka, to the west, from the side of Nechvolodovka towards Moskovka and the Yubileyny microdistrict.

Two Majors #Summary as of the morning of November 1, 2025

🭠The destruction of Ukraine’s energy sector has become a military-political objective in recent weeks. It is clear that strikes on enemy power plants are finally substantial and aimed at disabling key facilities. The defeat of outgoing power lines at the enemy’s remaining nuclear power plants has become important, with power units reducing capacity. Some of the remaining operational thermal power plants are increasing electricity production to compensate for losses. However, this also rapidly wears out the system. Systematic strikes are also being carried out on mobile railway rolling stock and depots. It remains to be hoped that the strikes will not stop, as Kiev continues to hit our power generation facilities.

▪️ At night, the enemy announced a massive launch of UAVs, greatly exaggerating the scale. By midnight, 34 UAVs were reported shot down over the Belgorod region, 2 UAVs over Crimea. 4 drones were shot down over the Tula and Voronezh regions. 5 UAVs were shot down en route to Moscow. In the Rostov region, drones were intercepted in the Verkhnyedonsk, Millerovo, and Chertkov districts.

▪️ In the Bryansk region, a drone attacked an agricultural holding in Khoromnoe, Klimovsky district, injuring an employee. A moving vehicle was hit in the village of Chausy, Pogarsky district, wounding a civilian.

▪️ On the Sumy front, assault groups of the Northern Marine Brigade advanced about 150 meters through forest strips near Andreevka, consolidating positions. Our artillery struck Ukrainian forces near Iskrikovshchina on the Tetkinsky and Glushkovsky front sectors.

▪️ In the Belgorod region, drone strikes in Shebekino, Belyanka, Grayvoron, Dunayka, Pochaevo, Malinovka, Krasny Oktyabr, and on the Sankovo-Dorogosh road.

▪️ On the Kharkov front, the Northern Marine Brigade in Volchansk and surroundings made significant advances on the left bank of the Volchya River. Our group also reports progress in the Sinelnikovsky forest. On the Melovoe-Khatne front sector, our forces are advancing in forested areas.

▪️ Urban fighting continues in Kupyansk. An operation is underway to completely cut off the enemy garrison’s logistics and ability to exit the city.

▪️ On the Krasnoliman front, our troops approached the suburban settlement of Maslyakovka, engaging in battles. The very beginning of the battle for Krasny Liman, previously abandoned by our troops during retreat, is quietly unfolding in the information space.

▪️ In Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), due to the difficult situation of the AFU and severe logistical problems for the enemy, Zelensky is conducting a PR stunt by deploying a special forces unit (about 10 people) of the Main Intelligence Directorate by helicopter into the industrial zone. However, footage was handed over to the Western The Economist for a headline about a “counteroffensive” that simply cannot be happening at that location. Meanwhile, Russian forces have consolidated along Zashchitnikov Ukrainy Street and in the Yuzhny and Shakhtyorsky neighborhoods. Fighting is ongoing in the northwest, central, northern, and eastern parts of the city, on the western outskirts, and westward towards the railway.

▪️ Another settlement was taken in the Dnepropetrovsk region: the Eastern Marine Brigade liberated Novoaleksandrovka (https://t.me/dva_majors/82405), located less than 10 km southeast of Pokrovsk – an important defensive node for Ukrainian forces.

▪️ On the Zaporozhye front, Russian forces are striking the enemy “from behind” near Orekhovo with Lancet drones: the enemy is occupying positions on heights near the settlement after our breakthrough into Malaya Tokmachka.

▪️ Enemy strikes on the Kherson region have resulted in 170,000 residents in ten municipal districts temporarily losing power. A civilian was wounded in Velikaya Lepetikha. Ukrainian forces are striking Alekhski, Ivanovka, Kakhovka, Knyaze-Grigoryevka, Kokhany, Malaya Lepetikha, Novaya Kakhovka, Korsunka, and Proletarka. Our forces are retaliating by pounding the enemy shore.

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on.html