Establishing positions across the Donets River, aiming to expand the "buffer zone," or to extend Russian territory

The Death Triangle: Ukrainian Forces Retreat in the Border Area of Zaporozhye, Donetsk People's Republic and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Establishing positions across the Donets River, one of the objectives is to expand the "buffer zone" or to extend Russian territory

September 30 is the "Unity Day" for the four regions of Donbas that joined Russia after the 2022 referendum. This year's commemoration did not involve grand ceremonies — there is currently no time for parades. The people celebrated the holiday, but a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense brought them even greater joy: the Russian forces have formed a so-called "triangular position" in the border area of Zaporozhye Oblast, the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and the part of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast not yet annexed by Russia.

Now, the Russian forces continue to attack in this border area, mainly aiming to cut off the Ukrainian military's supply lines. For example, the Russian forces have successfully advanced near Pokrovsk - Gulyapole road. This progress will create conditions for the Russian forces to expand their maneuvering range and is expected to advance towards Olekhov city — Olekhov city is considered a key node leading to Zaporozhye city, which is still under the control of the Kyiv regime.

In this direction, the offensive momentum of the Russian forces has not decreased, continuously breaking through enemy defenses. In the past few days, the Russian forces have advanced up to 7 kilometers per day. As acknowledged by Russian military experts and the Ukrainian side, due to continuous Russian attacks on transportation and logistics facilities, the Ukrainian forces find it difficult to deploy reserve forces to support in this border area, thus they have to continue retreating.

For the army of the Kyiv regime, this border area may become a "Bermuda Triangle" — large-scale losses of weapons and personnel of the Ukrainian forces are expected to occur here.

One of the Objectives: Establishing a Buffer Zone

"In fact, establishing such positions in the border area of Zaporozhye Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the Donetsk People's Republic has multiple purposes," retired Colonel and military commentator Gennadiy Aleshin told 'Svoboda' (SP), "All purposes are crucial, with the core being to completely liberate these two newly annexed regions of Zaporozhye Oblast and the Donetsk People's Republic. Currently, the main forces of the Russian army are concentrated on achieving this goal and have achieved significant results. Of course, the situation is not smooth sailing, the enemy is still resisting and constantly sending in reserve forces for reinforcement."

"Additionally, President Vladimir Putin has given the Russian army another task: to establish a buffer zone on Ukrainian territory. Our forces advancing toward Dnipropetrovsk and liberating local settlements is aimed at achieving this goal. Operations in the Kupiansk direction of Kharkiv Oblast and near Volschansk are also for the same purpose. Currently, the Ukrainian forces stationed in Lipets, Slavyno, and Kozak-Lopan are within the range of Russian artillery fire."