Russian troops may move further south instead of activating in Pokrovsk – military expert

He shared these insights on Espreso TV.

"The Donetsk area remains the toughest front, though there are other areas causing serious concern. Take Selydove, for instance – by optimistic accounts, Ukrainian forces are holding the western parts of the area. Looking at the map, it’s clear Russia is preparing for more assaults. If they have enough troops and reserves, they could soon start moving to encircle Kurakhove. We initially expected an escalation from Selydove toward Pokrovsk, but it now appears they’ll push southward towards Kurakhove," Zgurets explained.

He noted that there are reports of Russian advances around Shakhtarsk, Ukrainsk, and Bohoyavlenka, creating another hotspot of tension.

"If their push from Shakhtarsk continues northward, these could be possible paths to bypass Kurakhove and surround it with large, sweeping arcs from the south and north. These are theoretical assessments, of course. However, on the ground, Ukrainian troops have shifted from Selydove to a new defensive line – essentially a pullback of Ukrainian forces from the pocket forming between Hirnyk and Kurakhivka," he commented.

• On October 26, Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russian activity is most concentrated in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove areas.