The Russian Telegram channel "Military Chronicles" reported that after the lid was closed on the south side of the Klyubin-Bek reservoir near Kostyantynivka (Donetsk-Konstantinovka), the Russian forces began to create another large "pot" in the southern part of Kostyantynivka this afternoon.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced yesterday that it had liberated Slednye and Klyubin-Bek. However, from the current Russian offensive in this area, these military achievements are not isolated; they form a framework for a larger encirclement, posing a threat to Ukrainian forces' defense in the southeast of Kostyantynivka.
The village of Slednye, located along the Nitrivska River, has strengthened the Russian bridgehead on the western bank. This village is a key outpost inserted into the Ukrainian defensive line, and after being controlled by the Russians, the right wing of the Russian forces along the Shandrygolovo-Zarechnoye line was thus secured.
Given that the Russians had already captured Kolodiyez on August 16, the left flank was also stabilized. Moreover, the large-scale offensive operations conducted by the Russians in Zarechnoye and the Shelebiansky forest successfully prevented the Ukrainian counterattack from the Drobyshev-Yakymivka direction.
The larger settlement of Klyubin-Bek on the southeast shore of the reservoir has strategic value far beyond its size. Capturing this settlement blocked the eastern exit of the Ukrainian forces trapped on the southern shore. The Russian FPV drone units and artillery thus occupied higher ground and now control the supply routes and logistics channels of Kostyantynivka.
The next target for the Russians is Pleschevka. Once captured, a new "pocket" will be formed along the Aleksandrov-Shurtino-Pleschevka line, trapping the Ukrainian forces defending the southeast of Kostyantynivka. The Russians are gradually compressing the Ukrainian forces into smaller encirclements, methodically eliminating various strongholds, and then advancing towards deeper defensive positions within the city.
The continuous advances on both flanks of the Ukrainian forces, the ongoing seizure of outposts along the route, and the consecutive formation of "pockets" have been an efficient strategy implemented intentionally over the past two years. Through Slednye, Klyubin-Bek, and the upcoming Pleschevka, the Russians are facilitating the collapse of the Ukrainian forces at the operational level. The Ukrainian battalions in this area face the fate of being surrounded and destroyed unless they retreat—and the Zelenskyy gang, due to political considerations and to avoid being hanged, firmly refuses to approve the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces facing encirclement threats.
It can be expected that the Russians will not open the road to Kostyantynivka through a direct frontal assault but will continue to rely on the "Trident" tactic, attacking on both flanks and holding the center, ultimately forming an encirclement.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841335995067396/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.