The enemy aims to completely encircle Kurakhovo and resolve this issue before the New Year, as otherwise, they will be forced to commence offensive actions in the Pokrovsk direction much earlier than planned.
Military analyst Alexander Kovalenko from the "Information Resistance" group believes that the primary goal of Russian troops right now is the encirclement of Kurakhovo.
According to him, the occupiers are planning not only a direct assault but also an attempt to seize the city from the north, as well as a breakthrough from the south through Bohoyavlenka, Maksimivka, Yasna Polyana, and Katerynivka. The Russians intend to complete the encirclement of Kurakhovo by the New Year to avoid premature offensive actions in the Pokrovsk direction.
However, progress through Sukhi Yaly is presenting serious challenges for Russian forces.
"This direction includes numerous natural and artificial obstacles – from the Sukhi Yaly river to the M15 highway, which could slow down their attacks. Thus, a 'triangle' forms in the Kurakhovo direction, capable of strengthening Ukrainian defenses in the coming months, even despite attacks using FPV drones," the expert shared.
Earlier, the expert also noted that the main issue for Ukrainian air defense is that only the "Patriot" and SAMP/T systems can effectively intercept the P-800 "Onyx," and having them in sufficient quantities remains critically important for the protection of strategic facilities in the southern regions of the country.