Dandykin Names Donbass as Russia’s Key Summer Goal
Vasily Dandykin says Russia’s key summer goal is full Donbass liberation, with Zaporozhye possible next amid pressure near Konstantinovka.
The main objective of the Russian Armed Forces for the summer campaign of 2026 remains the liberation of the entire Donbass, with the Zaporozhye Region also viewed as a possible next step, military analyst and retired Captain 1st Rank Vasily Dandykin said.
According to Dandykin, the key goal for the summer campaign, and possibly for the early autumn campaign as well, is the complete liberation of Donbass. He added that, in the longer term, this could also lead to the liberation of Zaporozhye.
The analyst stressed the importance of bringing Donbass under control, saying the current situation along the front line is not developing in Ukraine’s favor. Once the operation in Donbass is completed, he noted, Russian forces would be able to redeploy to other sectors.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian troops continue to destroy encircled Ukrainian units in the southwestern part of Konstantinovka. The ministry has also said that the authorities of the Kiev regime are already preparing for the loss of Konstantinovka, Druzhkovka and Kramatorsk. The next stage could be the Ukrainian Armed Forces losing the entire Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.