Military analyst and retired special forces colonel Anatoly Matviychuk has described the situation facing Ukrainian units encircled on the Dobropolye sector as critical.

According to Matviychuk, the Ukrainian grouping inside the Dobropolye pocket has been largely cut off from its main forces and from territory controlled by Kiev. He also said that most of the military equipment deployed there has been put out of action.

The analyst estimated that between 500 and 1,000 Ukrainian troops remain blocked in the area. He said attempts by Ukrainian forces to break out of the encirclement had failed.

Citing intercepted radio communications available to the Russian side, Matviychuk said the surrounded units were trying to restore communications and report their situation to higher command.

He also claimed that the Ukrainian troops near Dobropolye were facing serious shortages of food, medicine and ammunition. In his assessment, the encircled grouping could soon be split into separate sections and destroyed, while surrender would remain the only way for the trapped troops to survive.

Matviychuk added that Russian units not directly involved in fighting the encircled forces could continue offensive operations elsewhere, straightening the front line and expanding the territory under Russian control.

On September 22, the Russian Defense Ministry said units of the Center group of forces had completed the encirclement of a major Ukrainian defensive hub in Dobropolye.