Dramatic situation on the Ukrainian front. Russia advances dangerously, while the dissatisfaction of the Ukrainian army increases. The next 48 hours could be decisive

The Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine seems to have registered one of the most notable tactical successes of the last 12 months. The forces of Moscow penetrated deep into the Ukrainian lines, in a key sector in the Donetk region, forcing Kiev to send spare bands quickly, writes kyivpost.com.

Ukrainian soldiers hardly do the Russian/photo offensive: Archive

According to Ukrainian military sources and field reports, Russian troops, especially light infantry, without massive tank or armored support, advanced between 10 and 17 kilometers beyond the contact line, heading to the city of Dobropillia. In a sector already tense for months, this penetration has produced concern both among the Ukrainian military command and in the public space.

Broken lines and warnings ignored

Officially, the Ukrainian General Staff has confirmed the existence of small Russian infantry groups that managed to cross the first defensive lines, but transmitted that the respective forces do not have the ability to maintain the positions. However, the information on the ground, published by the independent platform as depicted and confirmed by military analysts, suggests that Russia has taken advantage of systemic weaknesses in the Ukrainian defense, exploiting breaches in the unoccupied or insufficiently supervised fortification belts.

Units of the Russian army would have cut the strategic road between Dobropillia and Pokrovsk, while other detachments dig defensive positions in several localities in the area, including Kuceriv and Zolotî Kolodiaz. Deeptate estimates indicated the presence of at least twenty Russian soldiers in the cheerful locality, with other forces nearby.

Unofficial Ukrainian sources argue that brigades 1 and 9 motorized rifles of the Russian army lead this infiltration offensive.

Critics from within: “The front line no longer exists”

A strong alarm signal came from the retreat colonel Bohdan Krotevici, former high-ranking officer in the 1st Azov, who, in an open letter to President Volodimir Zelenski, denounced the “complete chaos” in the Pokrovsk-Konstantinivka sector. According to him, the warnings regarding the lack of staff and the vulnerability of the front line have been ignored for months.

“President, I do not know exactly what is reported to you, but I can tell you: Pokrovsk and Mirnograd are almost encircled, and Kostiantinivka is under semi-trim. The enemy advances to Kramatorsk and Drujivka. The situation was known from last year.

The views of the former officer were also supported by other active fighters. A lieutenant known under the pseudonym “Alex” described the situation in the Donetsk region as “criticism”, talking about Russian sabotage units trying to enter the Ukrainian lines. For his part, the military analyst Stanislav Buniatov pointed out that this breach is the result of a “wrong assessment of his own capabilities and underestimation of the enemy”.

Kiev reaction: Azov and Brigade 92, sent to the area

In order to counteract the Russian offensive, Kiev began sending reserves in the area, including the 92st Assault Brigade and the 4th Brigade of the National Guard “Rubaj”. These are experienced units, but previously in the operational recovery phase.

Also, the 1st Azov body was dislocated in the Dobropillia region. Azov units are directly involved in fights, according to sources quoted by the Ukrainian press. In an official statement, Azov said that the situation is “complicated and dynamic”, but that the enemy undergoes significant losses.

The next 48 hours could be decisive

Analysts point out that the next 48 hours could be decisive. If Russia manages to strengthen its positions, a large offensive to Kramatorsk is not excluded, with major implications on the Eastern Front.

The military expert Agil Rudamzade warns that “if the operation is well thought out and takes into account the logistical limitations of Ukraine, we will see quickly if the Russians can make the breach or if their offensive will be blocked.”

For the moment, the image on the ground is one of uncertainty, between the soothing official statements and the reality in the first line, where every kilometer won or lost can tilt the balance in this wear conflict, which seems far from a denouement.