The ISW named the directions on which the Russian army can focus its offensive
The Russian occupiers will focus on offensives at Bakhmut and around Donetsk, but they will not succeed.
The Institute reported this for the Study of War (ISW).
According to them, the Russian army is likely to prefer offensive operations in the direction of Bakhmut and around the city of Donetsk at the expense of efforts to take Seversk and Sloviansk.
Enemy commanders are trying to use recent gains in the Novolugansk district to reinforce their offensive against Bakhmut from the east. Their efforts around Donetsk are likely aimed at pushing Ukrainian forces out of the city’s artillery range.
Photo: ISW
In addition, the occupiers will want to capture more positions in the Donetsk region in time for the planned referendums in September.
Analysts suggest that it is unlikely that Russian offensive operations will end with the capture of Bakhmut or successes west of the Donetsk region, even if they manage to take the towns of Avdiivka and Peski.
Also, satellite images with geolocation showed a Russian army buildup between June 19 and July 28 in Urazovo in the Belgorod region, 12 km east of the border.
It is possible that Russian troops are increasing the amount of military equipment in the area to support an offensive from Izyum to the west, as the buildup is only 55 km northeast of the Russian land lines at Kupyansk, which connect to both Izyum and the settlements south of Kharkiv.
The full-scale war in Ukraine continues for the 158th day.
You can follow the city situation on the interactive map of hostilities in Ukraine.
For more information about the war in Ukraine – news online, read the ICTV Facts article.
Source: ISW
