Ukraine’s Youngest General Halts Russian Advance on Pokrovsk (Video)

The battle for Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine has become a symbol of Ukrainian resilience. After months of relentless Russian offensives, the tide has turned. The appointment of General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine’s youngest general, has played a pivotal role in stabilising the frontline and shifting the momentum in Ukraine’s favour.

Almost a year ago, Russian forces broke through Ukrainian defences in Ocheretyne, pushing forward in the Pokrovsk sector. Ukrainian troops were forced into a defensive posture from May 2024 onwards. Over the next months, Russian forces captured key towns, including Selydove, Novohrodivka, Hrodivka, Ukrainsk, and Kurakhove, making their way towards Pokrovsk, a strategically vital city. The offensive put Ukrainian defenders under immense pressure, forcing Kyiv’s high command to act swiftly.

General Drapatyi was appointed to lead the Khortytsia Group of Forces, tasked with preventing Pokrovsk from falling. Drapatyi, a highly experienced commander, had built his reputation during Ukraine’s battles against Russian aggression since 2014. He led an armoured assault during the First Battle of Mariupol, playing a crucial role in retaking the city from Russian-backed separatists. In the battle of Izvarino, he successfully led his troops out of an encirclement without leaving behind any equipment. His rapid rise through the ranks saw him become a brigadier general by 2021, making him the youngest general in Ukraine’s military.

During Russia’s 2024 counteroffensive in Kharkiv, Drapatyi reorganised the communication system between frontline commanders and Ukrainian high command. This allowed for more precise tracking of Russian troop movements and led to successful Ukrainian counterattacks. These strategic reforms made him the ideal choice to take command in Pokrovsk.

Under his leadership, Ukrainian forces launched an intensive campaign against Russian supply routes, turning major logistics corridors into zones of destruction. Russian forces, heavily reliant on these supply lines, faced mounting losses as Ukrainian strikes made reinforcement efforts increasingly difficult. Over time, Russian combat capability deteriorated. They were soon reduced to deploying only small infantry groups, which were swiftly neutralised by Ukrainian defences.

Drapatyi also deployed reserves strategically, reinforcing positions where Russian assaults were most concentrated. He ensured that newly formed brigades, such as the 155th Anne of Kiev Brigade, were rotated out for rest and rearmament while battle-hardened units held the line. Fortifications around Pokrovsk were continuously reinforced, preventing Russian forces from making any breakthroughs.

The result was a complete stall in the Russian offensive. Rotated Ukrainian brigades returned to the battlefield in peak condition, ready to counter Russian advances. Russian forces, depleted and exhausted from months of grueling combat, were unable to maintain momentum. Ukrainian defenders, now well-coordinated and reinforced, have gained the upper hand in the battle for Pokrovsk.