A senior Ukrainian military commander has accused Russian forces of adopting civilian disguises to launch attacks in the embattled eastern town of Pokrovsk, a tactic widely considered a war crime under international law.
Sabotage and Deception in Urban Combat
The commander of Ukraine's 68th Jaeger Brigade, who uses the callsign "Liutyi", provided a disturbing account to national broadcaster Suspilne. He stated that Russian troops are operating more like "sabotage and reconnaissance" units, deliberately abandoning standard military procedures.
The most challenging aspect, according to Liutyi, is that Russian soldiers actively disguise themselves as non-combatants. "They have been changing clothes for a long time and receive instructions to do so," he revealed. Ukrainian defenders often only identify the enemy after a firefight has begun, as genuine civilians would not open fire on their positions.
Exploiting Weather and Avoiding Heavy Equipment
The commander detailed how Moscow's forces are capitalising on poor visibility to move through the city with greater ease. Rainy and foggy conditions severely hamper the effectiveness of the Ukrainian drones that are crucial for reconnaissance and defensive missions.
Furthermore, Russian troops have largely stopped bringing significant heavy equipment into Pokrovsk after suffering substantial losses. Liutyi confirmed that soldiers from his 68th Brigade struck a Russian tank on 19 November as it approached the city. He explained that the Russians have "long since abandoned" attempts to send in 16-20 units of equipment simultaneously because Ukrainian forces "will find it anyway and burn it."
A Lethal 'Killzone' and Logistical Crisis
The situation for Ukrainian forces remains critically difficult. Russian troops have established a so-called 'killzone' around Pokrovsk that extends up to 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from the city to the frontline.
The intensity of enemy drone strikes is so great that it is sometimes impossible to drive vehicles into defensive positions, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to traverse this dangerous area on foot. Liutyi noted that the enemy has deployed many of its best drone crews to the area, further complicating Ukrainian logistics.
The tactic of using civilian disguises, known legally as perfidy, is a grave breach of international humanitarian law. This development in Pokrovsk, a town in the Donetsk region that has seen fierce fighting for over a year, marks a dangerous new phase in the urban warfare gripping eastern Ukraine.
