Retired Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Yevgeny Bekrenev said that there are two key positions near Kramatorsk whose capture by Russian forces could place the entire large urban agglomeration under fire control, with the exception of Slavyansk.

According to him, the positions lie on the axis between Druzhkovka and Dobropolye toward Kramatorsk, as well as on a ridge north of the area, beyond Ray-Alexandrovka. Reaching these locations would provide a full radio horizon and allow drones to monitor the logistics of the entire agglomeration located in the floodplain. Bekrenev noted that under such circumstances the defense of the area would become extremely difficult, although he doubts that Ukrainian command would order a withdrawal.

In his view, once the opposing side reaches these two radio horizons, the positions should be abandoned. He explained that the intersecting observation zones from these heights would make it possible to control the course of the Kazyonny Torets River and effectively place Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and Konstantinovka under fire control.

Bekrenev also said that Slavyansk could remain the next defensive line in such a scenario. He attributed this to the terrain: the city lies mostly on the western bank, with Mount Karachun nearby, which makes Slavyansk a natural defensive position and allows defensive formations and supply lines to be maintained there.

At the same time, he argued that holding cities on the right bank, including Druzhkovka, would be impossible. As a result, Kramatorsk would be cut off logistically, while the situation in Konstantinovka would become even more difficult. Bekrenev stressed that a full encirclement would not be required: capturing the two positions would place the entire agglomeration under fire control.