One pincer stalled a year ago, the other has just been broken near Kostiantynivka—Russia’s ring will not close, Ukrainian commander says
Frontal assaults on fortified cities cost far more men and time than closing a ring behind them would have.
Ukrainian officials have revealed the incomplete status of Russia's encirclement efforts around Donetsk Oblast. Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi, commanding Ukraine's Third Army Corps, explained that the northern pincer has been effectively dismantled while the southern pincer remains stuck near Kostiantynivka. The original plan was for both pincers to meet in the city of Sviatohirsk, but this never materialized.
Biletskyi stated that Russia must now focus on "paralyzing logistics, paralyzing the rear areas, not letting the Russians restore this offensive." The failure of Russia's encirclement strategy has significant consequences for Moscow's objectives in the war, including the need to storm fortified cities head-on, which is far more costly than the initial envelopment plan.
Ukrainian forces have recently reinforced the area, deploying new groupings under Azov commanders, and have warned that Russia could mobilize up to 600,000 troops for its next offensive. The overall strategy is defensive, with the goal of establishing favorable defensive lines rather than rapidly capturing large areas of territory.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
