According to Ukrainian military analyst Konstantin Mashovets, the strategy devised by the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, General Alexander Syrskyi, to defend Krasnoarmeysk (known as Pokrovsk in Ukraine) has failed.

Mashovets believes that initially, the Ukrainian command aimed to push the 51st Russian army across the Kazenny Torets River while holding onto the northern part of the city. However, the reality turned out to be far darker. Russian forces not only succeeded in establishing a formidable defensive position but also amassed at least four brigades on a bridgehead covering an area of 7 by 4.7 kilometers.

Mashovets expressed doubt about the ability of Ukrainian forces to dislodge the Russians, stating that it is likely only General Syrskyi knows how to do so with just two Ukrainian brigades.

As for Krasnoarmeysk itself, Mashovets describes the city as having become a «gray zone», where both sides' military positions have become increasingly mixed. He notes that the Ukrainian garrison still has a small «corridor» for maneuver, but he is convinced that Ukrainian command is no longer capable of reversing the situation.