Russian troops could make significant gains on several sections of the front before the end of 2026, including the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk area and the Zaporozhye direction. Military expert Vasily Dandykin outlined this scenario in comments to NEWS.ru.

He expects fighting to intensify near Zaporozhye, particularly around Orekhov and Malaya Tokmachka, where combat is already underway. Dandykin also believes Russian forces will continue advancing in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk area before the end of the year.

The operation in Liman has taken longer because Ukrainian forces have been constantly moving reserves into the area, he said. Dandykin identified Druzhkovka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk as the key cities on this section of the front.

In his assessment, the current battlefield situation creates conditions for Russian troops to take these cities before the end of 2026. He also described the Donetsk People’s Republic as the main direction for Vladimir Zelensky.

Dandykin added that capturing the major cities in the region could free up part of the Russian force grouping for operations elsewhere. As a historical comparison, he referred to the Great Patriotic War, when some troops were redeployed to the Baltic states after Crimea and Sevastopol were liberated.

DPR head Denis Pushilin earlier said Russian units were completing the clearance of remaining scattered Ukrainian forces in Liman. According to him, the operation has entered its final stage.

DPR head adviser Igor Kimakovsky previously said Ukrainian forces were preparing Kramatorsk for defense. According to him, a large fortified area has been established on the territory of local industrial enterprises using a defensive model similar to the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. Kimakovsky also said Russian troops were entering the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk area from several directions.