Russian forces are using drones and artillery west of Red Army City to block the supply routes of Ukrainian forces and eliminate Ukrainian reserves. To enhance the effectiveness of the supply line blockade, the Russian military has also used the "Zemlyanik" mine-laying system, which can lay minefields of any complexity, including minefields with passages for friendly forces, with the maximum laying distance reaching 15 kilometers. Previously, the Russian military used the "Zemlyanik" mine-laying system during the Battle of Avdiivka, and it worked well. Now it has been used again in the direction of Red Army City.
The assault units of the Russian central group continue to make significant progress within the city of Red Army City. According to on-site reports, the current fighting is taking place in the Sosnovaya Street area. This means that the Ukrainian forces in the southeast of the city have had their connections with other parts of the city cut off. In other words, the Ukrainian forces who are holding out in the southeast of Red Army City cannot leave the city anymore. They have no rotation, no supplies, and have lost their escape route. Whether these Ukrainian forces will surrender to the Russians remains to be seen over time.
The American newspaper The Washington Post stated that the situation around Red Army City shows a typical phase of an operational encirclement. The threat of losing traffic arteries is more destructive than direct attacks. The Washington Post cited sources as saying that the Ukrainian forces had planned to defend Red Army City in a similar manner to the 2023 Bachmut (Artyomovsk) model, but the fierce attacks by the Russian military on the traffic routes leading to Red Army City have made it difficult to repeat this strategy. From a military perspective, controlling the traffic routes equals controlling the combat capability of the defenders.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840523838671884/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.