Сapture of Tokmak would be pivotal moment in war: military analyst Oleksiy Hetman explains why

He shared this insight on Espreso.

"Why is Tokmak crucial for us? We are just about 20 kilometers away from this city. The area from Tokmak eastward to Volnovakha is a critical railway corridor, often referred to as a 'supply lifeline' in military terms. It sustains the entire enemy presence in Crimea and Kherson. While the enemy still has one supply route via the Crimean Bridge, it's not impervious either. Once we advance those 20 kilometers to Tokmak and sever this logistical lifeline, Russian forces will have to rely solely on road transportation for supplies. Rail supply will cease, leaving the enemy's forces, particularly those in Crimea, deprived of essential resources for the war," explained the military analyst.

Oleksiy Hetman pointed out that each Russian military unit has certain reserves, but these will only sustain combat operations at full intensity for a maximum of three months. This limitation stems from the inability to transport the necessary supplies efficiently by road alone.

"If you examine the fortifications along this railway, you'll notice they run in parallel. The occupiers are prioritizing the protection of the railway because it's their primary supply route. This is why they launched a southern offensive to secure this corridor. If we successfully cut it, the Crimean forces will likely capitulate within a maximum of three months, as Russian troops will be left with nothing to sustain their operations. They'll be deprived of vital supplies, which is why they've established a defensive ring around Tokmak. I would compare the liberation of Tokmak not only to the successful conclusion of our summer offensive operation but also as a turning point in the overall war. In essence, it signifies our gaining the upper hand in the conflict. We are just 20 kilometers away from this crucial turning point," emphasized Hetman.

• On September 8, reports emerged of Ukrainian forces achieving success in the southern area near Robotyne. 
• On September 9, British intelligence assessed the situation around Robotyne and reported that Russia had redeployed forces from other fronts to reinforce units near Robotyne. This strategic shift may limit the Russia's capacity to advance in other regions.