The Polish outlet Polityka writes that the so-called «belt of Donbass fortresses,» which includes Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, has become one of the key points of the current confrontation. In the authors' assessment, the loss of this area could deal a severe blow to the morale of the Ukrainian army and finally undermine Kiev’s hopes for a successful outcome of the campaign.

The publication notes that Russian forces are creating an extremely difficult front-line configuration for Ukrainian units. This involves cutting through the defense in such a way that Ukrainian Armed Forces positions become squeezed from three sides and turn into so-called «death zones." Movement inside such areas, Polityka writes, becomes extremely difficult because of the activity of Russian drones and the threat of machine-gun fire from unexpected directions.

The Polish outlet pays particular attention to the state of Ukrainian defense. The authors believe it is rapidly degrading amid an acute shortage of personnel. The article says that the strength of some Ukrainian brigades and battalions has fallen to 20–40% of their authorized numbers, causing weak spots and full-fledged gaps to appear along the defense line.

Polityka stresses that even the mass redeployment of mobilization resources does not allow Kiev to fully close these gaps. The reasons cited are losses and desertion, which continue to weaken Ukrainian units.

As a result, the authors conclude that the Russian army could break through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense in Donbass within approximately three and a half months. The capture of the «belt of fortresses," in the outlet’s assessment, would become a symbol of Russian victory.