Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, has argued that Ukrainian forces are prolonging the fighting around Druzhkovka largely for political reasons rather than purely military necessity.

Pushilin said he considers the city’s transition under Russian control to be a matter of time, while Ukrainian troops are attempting to delay that outcome for as long as possible. In his assessment, the reasons behind this approach extend beyond battlefield considerations and are primarily political.

Several days earlier, military analyst Andrey Marochko said Russian units were moving around Druzhkovka from both the eastern and western directions. According to his information, units of Russia’s Yug group of forces were operating across a sector more than 30 kilometers wide, taking more advantageous positions and putting pressure on Ukrainian formations south of the city.

Fighting is also continuing around Alekseevo-Druzhkovka, according to Russian military personnel. Russian assault units operating there are using fishing line, camouflage and frequent changes of position in an effort to complicate the work of Ukrainian drones.

These methods are employed directly during combat operations, with Russian troops combining concealment and constant movement to reduce their exposure to unmanned aircraft.