Military Kyrylo Sazonov stated that the Russian invaders suffered significant losses while trying to capture Selidovo, but did not achieve any strategic goal. The front has not been breached, the encirclement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has not been created, and a large military group has not been destroyed.
After the attempt to capture Selidov, the enemy decided to continue the offensive in the direction of Pokrovsk. However, according to Sazonov, strategically, this decision does not make sense, since the occupiers do not receive any benefits from the capture of the Pokrovsk-Myrnograd agglomeration. The important route Pokrovsk - Kostyantynivka is constantly under fire, and its use is virtually impossible.
"The price of storming Pokrovsk may turn out to be excessive for them, because the territory with residential buildings and industrial zones makes it difficult to conduct hostilities," Sazonov notes. He also emphasizes that the fighting for Selidovo seriously weakened the main units of the Russian troops. This fist was supposed to be focused on Pokrovsk, but the resistance of the Ukrainian defenders forced the Kremlin to spend all its resources on the fight for Selidovo.
The military officer emphasizes that the Russians are not able to quickly restore their strength, and at the moment they are forced to focus not on Pokrovsk itself, but on its surroundings. There is nowhere to transfer reinforcements, because only the Kurakhiv direction is nearby, from where the occupiers cannot withdraw their forces.
Sazonov notes that the intentions of the Russian command are obvious: they seek to surround the ZSU group, avoiding an assault on Kurakhovo. However, the Kremlin's strategic failures lead to a situation where small daily advances do not lead to significant results.
"The main problem of the Kremlin is strategic failures. They are advancing, but without success, resources are quickly running out," the military officer concludes. The offensive on the Dnipro appears to be a fantasy, and attempts to advance to Zaporozhye encounter strong Ukrainian resistance.
Sazonov also notes that the situation at the front is difficult, as the exhausted Russian troops are opposed by not quite fresh brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "We are also exhausted, there are not enough people, equipment has suffered losses. This is a truth that must be acknowledged. But we simply cannot retreat on our land," he adds.
