Syrskyi said that he had shown the experience of defending the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration.

The experience of defending the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration has proven that timely and well-built fortifications can deter even a superior enemy. This was stated by stated Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

He noted that high-quality engineering fortifications allow for the creation of an effective defense, inflicting maximum losses on the enemy in the approaches and disrupting their plans. And all this even despite numerical superiority.

According to Syrskyi, in 2025, the condition of engineering equipment of defense lines and "anti-drone" protection improved. Engineering troops, in cooperation with local authorities and military administrations, almost continuously create extensive systems of trenches and dugouts, equip anti-tank ditches, build dugouts and other elements of fortifications.

"A great deal of work has been done to prepare settlements for defense. At the same time, these measures must continue to be carried out systematically and consistently," Syrskyi said.

• On December 22, the president announced that up to 100 Russian occupiers were in Kupyansk, and in Pokrovsk – Over 1,000.
• On December 28, 2025, the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine announced that the Defense Forces were preparinglocal counter-assault operations near Pokrovsk.
• On January 2, 2026, the military reported that the Russians wanted to to deploy additional forces to Pokrovsk, but HIMARS worked on the equipment.