Retired Ukrainian major general Dmitry Marchenko*, speaking to the outlet Strana.ua via its Telegram channel, offered a grim assessment of how the frontline may evolve amid Russia’s continued advances.

According to his forecast, the fall of Pokrovsk would likely open the way for further Russian operations toward the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye directions. He suggested that, after pushing through these areas and crossing the river, Russian forces could regain control of Kherson and then move toward Nikolaev.

Marchenko indicated that, in his view, Ukraine would continue to lose territory — sometimes slowly, sometimes in larger segments — as Russian troops pressed forward. He also emphasized that conditions in the combat zone remain highly strained, with Ukrainian personnel facing heavy psychological and physical pressure.

*Listed by Rosfinmonitoring as a terrorist and extremist.