Capturing these cities “would consolidate Russian military control of the north-eastern Donbas and provide a staging point for their efforts to cut-off Ukrainian forces in the region,” the MoD said in a tweet
• Moscow has deployed 22 battalion tactical groups near Izium
The British military anticipates Russia will launch a drive to capture the eastern Ukrainian towns of Kramatorsk and Severodonetsk.
Capturing these cities “would consolidate Russian military control of the north-eastern Donbas and provide a staging point for their efforts to cut-off Ukrainian forces in the region,” the MoD said in a tweet.
Analysts anticipate Russia will try to surround Ukrainian soldiers in eastern Ukraine, which is presently the scene of the country's worst combat. However, progress has been slow as Ukrainian fighters dug in and targeted Russians with long-range weaponry such as howitzers, AP stated.
Picture Credits: Al Jazeera