Russian troops could establish control over Druzhkovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) before the end of 2026, according to military analyst Vasily Dandykin, a reserve captain of the first rank.

Dandykin also believes Russian forces may capture Orekhov in the Zaporozhye region within the coming months. He identified both cities as potential targets for further Russian advances before the end of the year.

The analyst additionally expressed hope that Russian troops would soon take control of Krasny Liman in the DPR, which he described as currently being in a gray zone.

Dandykin emphasized that these expectations represent his minimum forecast for the Russian military’s potential territorial gains. He declined to offer a more ambitious prediction, citing the approaching rainy season as a major factor that could significantly complicate offensive operations.

Despite these concerns, the military expert expressed confidence in the Russian army’s current momentum and voiced support for its continued advances.

Dandykin also suggested that Belozerskoye, a small town in the Donetsk People’s Republic near the Dnepropetrovsk region, could come under Russian military control before the end of 2026.

His assessment therefore identifies four settlements — Druzhkovka, Orekhov, Krasny Liman and Belozerskoye — as possible areas of Russian territorial gains in the remaining months of the year.