If Russia cuts Zaporizhzhia-Donetsk highway, Ukrainian forces risk encirclement: Military observer on Kurakhove front

He shared this on Espreso TV.

"The Russians have moved beyond the Kurakhove reservoir and could reach the Zaporizhzhia-Donetsk highway. Kurakhove, incidentally, lies directly on this highway. The Russian forces could also approach from the south, advancing from Zelenivka toward Ulakly," Popovych explained.

According to the military observer, the situation is highly dangerous and alarming at several points along the highway, including areas near Velyka Novosilka further west. Any breach of this route could lead to the operational encirclement of Ukrainian forces.

"Their forces are making gradual progress, and under no circumstances should we allow the situation to escalate to the point where the highway is severed, leaving us to withdraw troops through open fields," Popovych stressed.

• In the past 24 hours, there were 245 combat clashes along the Russian-Ukrainian front, with Russian forces launching 68 attacks on the Kursk region.
• Bohdan Petrenko, head of communications for the 48th Separate Artillery Brigade, stated that the Russian forces are actively working to cut Ukrainian communication lines near Velyka Novosilka.