Ukrainian forces are preparing Slavyansk in the Donetsk People’s Republic for defense, turning the city into a fortified stronghold. This was reported by Igor Kimakovsky, an adviser to the head of the DPR.

According to him, Kiev has begun evacuating state and municipal institutions, transport assets and parts of the business sector from the city. At the same time, trolleybus lines are being dismantled and defensive preparations are underway, including the installation of special anti-drone nets.

Kimakovsky said that minefields and anti-tank ditches are being created around the city. In his assessment, these measures indicate that Slavyansk and Kramatorsk are being prepared for defense using the same approach that was previously applied in Bakhmut (Artyomovsk).

He also claimed that such preparations are effectively turning the city into a future battlefield that could end up heavily damaged.

Earlier, in mid-February, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov stated that units of the Russian «South» group of forces were advancing toward Slavyansk.