According to the expert, if the Russians capture Toretsk, they will be at the "gateway" to the Druzhkivka-Kramatorsk-Sloviansk agglomeration.
The situation in Toretsk is currently as difficult as it once was in Vuhledar.
This was stated by military expert, flight instructor, and retired Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Roman Svitan, as reported by "24 Kanal."
In his opinion, Toretsk is one of the key tactical directions for the Russians. Meanwhile, their operational-level targets are Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, as well as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
The expert explained that capturing Toretsk would allow the Russians to advance toward Kostyantynivka.
“They understand that they cannot reach Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Druzhkivka through Chasiv Yar - at least not at this time, before winter. Therefore, the enemy will try to bypass Chasiv Yar from the west - through Kostiantynivka,” Svitan stated.
He noted that after Vuhledar, the situation in Toretsk is the most difficult for Ukrainian forces. Therefore, the command needs to urgently focus on this section of the front, the expert urges.
He explains that if the Armed Forces of Ukraine withdraw toward Kostiantynivka, they will need to take certain measures to hold it. If the enemy captures Kostiantynivka, then Ukrainian defenders will have to retreat from Chasiv Yar as well. This would place the Russians at the "gateway" to the Druzhkivka-Kramatorsk-Sloviansk agglomeration.
"This is a large agglomeration, home to over 100,000 civilians, and allowing the Russians in for the complete destruction of these three cities is unacceptable. Therefore, Toretsk must be held or a defensive line established behind it," Roman Svitan said.
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