Russia tries to encircle Kostiantynivka and advance on key directions
The main directions of Russia’s offensive remain Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia. However, an escalation on the Luhansk direction, particularly on the Kupiansk-Lyman axis, is not ruled out.
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Russia is trying to surround the city and is increasing pressure on Donbas and Zaporizhzhia / © Associated Press
Donetsk region remains one of the priority areas for enemy combat operations, with Kostiantynivka facing particular danger. Russian forces are trying to encircle the city from three sides.
Colonel of the Reserve of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and military expert Roman Svitan explained why pressure on Kostyantynivka is important for the Russians. He also named other priority frontline directions.
He shared this in an interview with 24Kanal.
Political and military goals of the enemy
According to Roman Svitan, Russia has sufficient reserves to carry out operational and tactical tasks on the Eastern Front. Moreover, a second wave of reserves is expected in August, which will be deployed to key sectors.
«This is the area of Sloviansk, and the Kostiantynivka garrison is hindering the Ukrainians’ access to this city, so they are pressing there and will continue to do so. Therefore, this direction needs reinforcement, at least by unblocking the western and northwestern parts of Kostiantynivka, ” the expert emphasized.
DeepState Map. Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region. / © Deepstatemap
Among the main directions where the enemy will focus pressure, Roman Svitan named Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia. The latter is critically important for the Russians to expand the land corridor in the South.
The Сolonel of the Reserve of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasized that the enemy is pursuing two main goals:
Military: Expanding the land corridor by capturing Zaporizhzhia region.
Political: Occupying Donetsk region and seizing key settlements that hinder advancement toward the administrative borders of Donetsk region.
This includes the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration (with a direction of movement toward Dobropillia) and the Kostiantynivka or Toretsk-Chasiv Yar directions (with movement toward Sloviansk). Roman Svitan does not rule out that the Luhansk direction — specifically the Kupiansk-Lyman axis — may become active in August-September.
Currently, the pressure on Sloviansk from the south is insufficient for the Russians. They will also attempt to advance from the north, from the side of Lyman. However, as Roman Svitan noted, this is still far off. Since the enemy is currently «stagnating» in the areas of Torske and Kupiansk, this direction is less dangerous compared to Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia.
On the Zaporizhzhia front, almost the entire line of contact — from Vasylivka to Huliaipole and eastward — is in an active state. The Russians are conducting small operations with small groups, awaiting the arrival of reserves. Therefore, according to the military expert, the Zaporizhzhia front will remain active throughout the entire summer military campaign.