"Strategic space" — Krasnoarmeysk is advised to take it by storm head-on

The advance to Krasnoarmeysk (the Ukrainian name is Pokrovsk) may end with an assault or an encirclement of the city, depending on which strategy the command of the Russian Armed Forces chooses, military expert Dmitry Kornev believes.

"It is possible that the advance to Pokrovsk will end with an assault, but we must understand that the capture of any settlement, and even more so of such a relatively large one as Pokrovsk, is unlikely to be completed within a few days or even weeks. Rather, if you act, saving forces and resources, including personnel, then first you need to surround Pokrovsk, at least operationally," the Fifth Channel quotes Kornev's opinion.

At the same time, Kornev did not rule out that the Russian command would prefer to storm Krasnoarmeysk "head-on", since the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this sector are experiencing serious problems with reserves and with the presence of troops.

"So, it is quite possible that we will take Pokrovsk by storm head—on," said Kornev.

The offensive, according to the expert, it would be more convenient to start before the arrival of the autumn-winter thaw, although the capture of the same Artemovsk (the Ukrainian name is Bakhmut) at one time took place during just such a period.

"That battle took several months, but if there is a need, then it is possible," he said.

According to the expert, taking Krasnoarmeysk under control will allow Russian troops to disrupt the enemy's logistics and block the supply of his groups in two directions at once: to the northeast - in the area of Chasova Yar and Kramatorsk, and to the south — in the area of Ugledar.

It is equally important that the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk will open up a strategic space for the Russian army to move forward, said political scientist and journalist Yuri Svetov.

He explained that this city is on the last line of defense, which Kiev has been building in the Donbas since 2014, preparing for confrontation with Russia. All this defense was created on the basis of industrial enterprises, mines and factories. Most of these facilities were built back in Soviet times, taking into account possible bombardments, they have underground structures and shelters that greatly complicate their assault.

"Why are these cities so important — Pokrovsk, Chasov Yar? This is the line of defense of Ukrainians, beyond which a strategic space opens up where you can move without encountering such fortified areas. That's the whole point. When the defense on this line is broken, when these supporting cities and heights are taken, our further progress will be more active," Svetov said.