Russia will focus on full occupation of Donetsk region this summer, despite losses - military expert Selezniov

Vladyslav Selezniov, a military expert, colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ex-spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said this on Espreso TV.

"The enemy is trying to cut the route that the Ukrainian army uses to supply its forces and equipment in many parts of the eastern front. We are talking about the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka road. It is obvious that this is important to the enemy. It seeks to take it under fire control at the first stage. Further, if they manage to cut this motorway, the Ukrainian army will have some difficulties with timely and full supply of our defenders operating in the Chasiv Yar area. This is a serious challenge, and we are facing serious tasks to stabilize the situation," he said.

The newly appointed commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andriy Hnatov, is now facing mounting challenges. The first step is to stabilize the contact line, Selezniov said.

"The decisions made earlier did not help stabilize the situation. The enemy has a tactical advantage, but we have to understand that this summer they will focus all their efforts on capturing the territories of Donetsk region, despite heavy losses. We must not help the enemy. We have to build a multi-level systemic line of defense with engineering fortifications. Strategic defense pursues two important goals: to slow down the advance of Russian troops as much as possible and to destroy enemy personnel, weapons and military equipment. The enemy is losing more than 1,300 soldiers every day, dozens of artillery pieces, vehicles and armored vehicles. However, despite the losses, the enemy continues to advance," the Ukrainian Armed Forces colonel summed up.

• Over the last day, 189 combat engagements took place along the frontline on July 1 . Ukrainian defenders repelled most of the enemy attacks in the Pokrovsk sector.