Ukrainian counteroffensives on the southern front have forced Russian forces to redeploy, making it difficult for them to capture the eastern fortress line.

Institute for the Study of War (ISW): Ukrainian forces make progress on the southern front, making it impossible for Russian forces to capture the "fortress line" in the east

Due to Ukraine's counteroffensive on the southern front, the Russian command has been forced to redeploy elite airborne and marine units from the Donbas region to southern Ukraine, which likely disrupted Russia's spring and summer offensive plans targeting the "fortress line."

This "fortress line" consists of four major heavily fortified cities stretching north to south along Highway H-20 (Kostiantynivka–Slavyansk).

Analytical institutions point out that Russia attempted twice—during 2014 and 2022—to seize this "fortress line," but both attempts failed. "At this stage of the war's fifth year, such operations are likely to turn into protracted conflicts lasting several years, resulting in massive casualties and equipment losses."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860811305492480/

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