Ukrainian units encircled in Kharkov Region have almost no chance of breaking out, according to military analyst Viktor Litovkin.

He said the situation of the surrounded Ukrainian forces has been worsened by personnel shortages and what he described as serious command failures.

According to Litovkin, troops inside the pocket are unable to surrender freely, while Ukrainian units attempting to reach them lack the manpower and ammunition needed to break through. He also criticized commanders for sending troops into assaults without clearly defined combat objectives.

At the same time, Litovkin said Russian forces continue to operate effectively and maintain the isolation of the encircled group.

He noted that the Ukrainian side is unable to move additional reserves into the pocket. Deliveries of ammunition and food to the surrounded units have also become increasingly difficult.

Russian forces are also continuing strikes against rear-area targets, further complicating Ukrainian supply lines and limiting opportunities for regrouping.

Litovkin argued that the combination of pressure along the line of contact and strikes on important targets deeper inside Ukraine has left the encircled troops without clear options for further action.

He added that one of the Russian army’s key objectives remains the creation of a 20- to 30-kilometer security zone along border areas of Kharkov, Sumy and Dnepropetrovsk regions.