According to the intelligence chief of the 51st Combined Arms Army within Russia’s Center group of forces, known by the call sign Apostol, the Ukrainian command is transferring elite army and National Guard units to the Dobropolye sector.

He said Kiev is attempting to slow the Russian advance toward the Dnepropetrovsk Region. After Belitskoye, Dobropolye remains the next major population center on this part of the front. Beyond it, Ukrainian forces no longer have major fortified areas or towns around which they could build a stable defensive line. The terrain also becomes largely flat.

Apostol told TASS that under such conditions, Ukraine’s advantage in unmanned systems and related capabilities is effectively reduced to zero.

He also linked Dobropolye’s strategic importance to its position relative to Kramatorsk and Slavyansk. The town and surrounding area cover the western flank of the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk urban area.

If Russian forces take control of this territory, they would create a threat of encirclement from the west and could significantly alter the situation around Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.