Why Donetsk region will be main focus of Russian offensive: military expert explains

Dmytro Sniehyriov, military expert and co-chairman of the Right Cause NGO, shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Donetsk region will be the main direction of the Russian offensive. The fact is that on September 30, 2022, the Russian dictator signed a decree regarding the incorporation of the ‘LPR’ and ‘DPR’ into the administrative borders of the Russian Federation. Consequently, if as of April 20, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces control approximately 45%, and by other estimates, 50% of the territory of the Donetsk region, this represents primarily a personal defeat for the Russian dictator. It signifies a failure both militarily and politically, as well as in terms of information warfare, indicating an inability to fulfill the objectives of the initial phase of the so-called ‘special military operation,’" Sniehyrov said.

The military expert explained what Russia's plans are for the battlefield.

"Let's put ourselves in the shoes of the Russians. By the end of May, the shell initiative of the Czech Republic and EU countries will be active. Ukraine will also receive military and technical assistance from the United States. Against this background, do you think it makes sense for the Russians to launch another offensive if this one has not yet ended? In my opinion, the point is that the Russians are just trying to use this so-called ‘window of opportunity’ by the end of May. They are talking about storming Chasiv Yar and further advancing to the administrative borders of the Donetsk region if they manage to capture Chasiv Yar. This is what they plan to do by the end of May," Sniehyrov explained.

• On April 21, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that by May 9, 2024, the Russian army plans to capture Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region. Russia wants to launch an offensive in June.