Preparations have begun on the frontline for battles aimed at bringing Donbass under full control of the Russian Armed Forces, military expert and retired Navy Captain First Rank Vasiliy Dandykin said. He made the statement in a comment to Lenta.ru following Russia’s Defense Ministry announcement that Russian forces had taken Karpovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

According to Dandykin, the new week on the frontline began with the capture of another settlement. He said that many such settlements remain — dozens, and possibly hundreds if smaller localities are included — and added that Russian forces continue to advance.

He described the current phase as a prelude to battles for the full liberation of Donbass, primarily the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.

Dandykin also said that Ukrainian forces are weakened due to the decision by their command to redeploy reserves to the Sumy and Zaporozhye directions. In his assessment, Ukrainian troops lack sufficient manpower and capability to resist effectively and rely mainly on the use of drones, including strikes not only in border areas but deep inside Russian territory.