Today, there is important news from the direction of Pokrovsk.Here, Ukrainian special forces launched a decisive clearing operation against Russian troops holed up in the Kotlyne industrial zone. By eliminating dozens of enemies, the Ukrainians once again caused chaos and helped restrain the flanking operation of the Russians on the western part of Pokrovsk.Ukrainians had the clear objective to eliminate the remaining Russian presence in the area and establish full control over the tactical stronghold in the local industrial complex. This operation was in preparation for weeks, and with Russian forces partially cut off, Ukrainian commanders decided to act. As these Russian forces were not fully encircled, they remained a significant threat. If they were left unbothered, they could disrupt Ukrainian counterattacks by launching assaults from behind or as a staging ground for future Russian reinforcements. Clearing the industrial zone would allow Ukraine to focus entirely on pushing back the Russian western pincer, rather than fighting on many fronts simultaneously. Additionally, by pressuring the Russian troops stuck in Kotlyne, Ukraine accelerated their depletion of ammunition and food, especially with them being without a proper supply line.The Russians were largely cut off from the south, with their only supply route the tree belt along the railway line. While this provides some cover for reinforcements, it is insufficient to sustain prolonged resistance, particularly under sustained Ukrainian pressure. Additionally, the hardened road leading into Kotlyne from Ukrainian-controlled territory gives Ukrainian forces a direct and secure path for assaults and evacuations. The area is also beyond the optimal range of Russian artillery and drone surveillance, preventing the Russians from blocking Ukrainian access.Given the complexities of warfare in industrial zones, Ukrainian forces opted for a precise and well-planned operation, which made elite special operations units the best choice for the task. Instead of a full-scale assault that could lead to high casualties, Ukrainians planned to conduct surgical strikes to slowly dismantle their defensive network.Ukrainians needed to act carefully because, despite the logistical disadvantage, the Russians had a strong defensive position. The industrial zone consisted of relatively intact buildings, with potential underground bunkers and tunnel systems that allowed them to withstand Ukrainian attacks. Tall structures provided excellent vantage points for Russian snipers and observers and gave them an oversight of the surrounding area. If Ukrainians hesitated, the Russians could have reinforced their positions, stockpiled supplies, and made any future assault far more costly. To overcome these obstacles, Ukrainians leveraged their superior drone capabilities around Pokrovsk. Aerial reconnaissance allowed them to pinpoint Russian positions and weaknesses before assaulting them. With real-time intelligence, Ukrainian special forces can move with precision, striking at concentrations of Russian troops before they have time to react. Geolocated footage from the operation shows how Ukrainian drones identified a large concentration of Russian forces inside a multi-story industrial building. Recognizing the importance of eliminating this stronghold, a special forces team was deployed to strike before the Russians could regroup.Soon Ukrainian special forces advanced rapidly and stormed the building. Russian troops inside put up heavy resistance, leading to a brutal close-quarters battle but as a result around 25 of them were eliminated after the Ukrainians cleared room after room. At the end, the buildings were cleared, and Ukrainians secured the regions.After controlling the buildings for two days, due to a Russian counterattack, a fire broke out inside the building, where the Ukrainians were located, compromising their cover. With smoke spreading and visibility dropping, recognizing the potential danger, they quickly organized an extraction to avoid unnecessary losses.Humvee armored vehicles were sent in to evacuate the special forces team. Despite the difficult conditions, the Ukrainians managed to temporarily withdraw without any casualties.Overall, the daring Ukrainian raid successfully cleared a critical Russian stronghold in Kotlyne and further destabilized the Russians. By executing precise and well-coordinated attacks, Ukrainian forces continued to deny the Russians any lasting foothold for their already weakened offensive. With each cleared area, the Ukrainians move closer to securing Pokrovsk, ensuring that any attempted Russian advance will face even greater obstacles ahead.