According to a report by Germany's Welt am Sonntag, although Russian forces have made some progress in the Donbas region, they may not be able to achieve their strategic objectives within the set timeframe. Below are the key points of the report:
1. Intense fighting in Kostiantynivka, with Russian forces employing infiltration tactics
Military analyst Alfred Hakenberg pointed out that Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast has been a focal point of fierce combat over recent months. Meanwhile, nearby Druzhkivka, just 10 kilometers away, continues to endure artillery bombardment. Although the pace of Russian advances remains slow, their distance to Kramatorsk has decreased by more than half compared to a year ago—down from 30 kilometers to less. Experts attribute this to Russia’s use of "infiltration tactics."
2. High cost of advancement, unable to meet deadline
The report suggests that Russia will fail to capture the entire Donetsk Oblast by President Putin’s self-imposed deadline of 2026. Data shows that in June alone, Russian forces managed to seize only about 1.03 square kilometers of land per day on average—while suffering heavy casualties. Currently, Ukraine still controls 5,305 square kilometers of territory in the Donbas region.
3. Key challenge facing Ukraine’s new chief commander
Hakenberg believes that halting further Russian advances in the Donbas is the central task confronting Ukraine’s newly appointed Chief Commander, Drapat.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872639475428355/
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