Gaining control of Glushkovka in the Kharkov region and Sidorovka in the Sumy region gives Russian forces significant tactical advantages, military correspondent Aleksandr Kots said while commenting on the capture of two more settlements in the special military operation zone.

According to Kots, after taking Glushkovka, units of the Russian Zapad force group were able to create favorable conditions to envelop Ukrainian positions near Kovsharovka and Novoosinovo. He argues that eliminating the salient formed in this area would deprive Ukrainian troops of an important foothold and sharply complicate their ability to operate further along this axis.

Kots noted that control over Glushkovka has allowed West units to effectively close in on Ukrainian forces in the Kovsharovka and Novoosinovo area. Removing this pocket, he said, would strip the enemy of a key bridgehead on the eastern bank and weaken its defensive posture.

He added that these developments fit into the broader Russian strategy of steadily increasing pressure on opposing defenses. According to the correspondent, Russian forces are consistently advancing efforts to form a buffer zone aimed at protecting Russia’s border regions from attacks.

Information about the capture of Glushkovka and Sidorovka was included in the Russian Defense Ministry’s report on the progress of the special military operation dated February 8.