Ukrainian defense expert says frontline is cracking but not collapsing

The front in Ukraine is showing signs of strain but is not collapsing, according to Serhii Zghurets, director of the information and consulting company Defense Express, according to Espreso.

For over a year, Russia has concentrated on seizing Ukraine-controlled areas of Donetsk Oblast, with major attacks repeatedly occurring near Pokrovsk, Selydove, and other towns. Employing frontal assault tactics, Russia sustains heavy losses but continues to make gradual advances.

“We have 800 kilometers of front lines, with nine hot spots out of eleven. There are withdrawals from certain particularly challenging areas, but the front is not collapsing. The question is how to maintain this thin, tense line of Ukrainian defense to prevent a breakthrough by the enemy. Because once they break through, it will be difficult to hold them back,” the expert noted.

According to him, Russian occupiers are operating at the limit of their logistical capabilities, deploying reserves across the entire front to halt the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

At the same time, Zghurets expressed confidence that the rate of replenishing reserves for the Russian army is not sufficient to achieve operational breakthroughs.

Commenting on the latest reports suggesting that after capturing Pokrovsk, the Russians will attempt to breakthrough in the city of Dnipro, the expert stated that the occupiers will have to pass a significant number of areas where they can be destroyed before reaching Pokrovsk.

Furthermore, as Zghurets added, Pokrovsk is well fortified, but that does not mean the defense will be truly strong.

Meanwhile, to ensure defense, the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast will be completely blocked for entry and exit. This was announced by the head of the Pokrovsk Military Administration, Serhii Dobriak, as per UNIAN. 

“The construction of defense has been ongoing since 2022. There is a defense plan for the city. According to this plan, Ukrainian forces are already entering the city. Therefore, we once again urge people to evacuate because the city will be fully blocked for entry and exit from neighborhoods and streets. We are already blocking the outskirts of the city,” he emphasized.

The Ukrainian official added that the Russians are already 6.7 kilometers from one of the outskirts of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, 11,900 residents remain in the city, including 55 children.

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