Military correspondent Alexander Sladkov has assessed the possibility of a Russian Armed Forces advance toward Odessa and further movement to Transnistria, offering a cautious view of such a scenario. According to the journalist, the Russian army currently does not have enough forces for an operation of that scale.

Sladkov said that Russia has sufficient capabilities for offensive actions with limited objectives, as is happening now, but not for a much larger campaign.

He explained that a move toward Odessa would require far more than the advance of assault units. Such an operation would need a large grouping capable of covering the flanks, holding captured areas, clearing territory, deploying air defense systems and building new communications routes to the front line.

According to the military correspondent, the force would also have to move firepower closer to the front, including artillery, guns, mortars and missiles. He described the potential operation as a complex campaign requiring an extensive supporting structure.

Sladkov said such an undertaking would depend on a strong supply system and a large number of specialists from different military fields. At the moment, he questioned whether Russia has that resource available.

Speaking about the broader prospects of the special military operation, Sladkov said the situation remains open and could develop in different ways. He noted that he does not yet see an end to the conflict and added that a range of scenarios remains possible, including the claim by Ukrainian commander-in-chief Alexander Syrsky about a possible Russian attack on Kiev.