Could fighting spread to Dnipropetrovsk region: Expert assessment

"I would say it's premature to talk about it now. Let's wait. Why do I say this? Because the situation is as follows. Everyone is already seeing the battles for Pokrovsk. Indeed, if we look at the map, the threats have increased; this cannot be denied," Musiienko said.

At the same time, he highlighted events that have occurred this week. Specifically, Ukrainian troops have managed to contract in the Novohrodivka area. This means that Russia has shifted its focus to Selydove, i.e., to the south.

"Accordingly, I think that, given that during the full-scale war Russia has not conducted such operations without enveloping strikes—Bakhmut, Avdiivka... What does this mean? They need to move from the flanks; they will try to encircle or semi-encircle, cutting off logistics, creating problems and challenges for us. And how can this be done if there are frontal strikes? No, it’s also frontal," the expert noted.

According to him, the Russian forces are currently trying to advance through the flanks via Selydove towards Kurakhove.

"Kurakhove, in my opinion, is an underestimated threat because right now everyone is talking about Pokrovsk. However, there are challenges for our forces there, although they have good defensive lines. To the north, Russia could advance through Myrnohrad and try to attack Pokrovsk from the northern flank. Then we might have a battle for Pokrovsk. It’s unlikely they will advance directly without developing some flanking operations. And if they go frontal, they will receive a strong repulse," Musiienko explained.

In the expert's view, by the second half of September, it will become clear whether there will be a major battle for Pokrovsk, possibly even in the streets of the city, or if battles will continue on the approaches.

"This is very important because the longer the battles on the approaches last, the more the enemy will be weakened, and the fewer forces will be available for urban combat. This is decisive. And from which directions they will advance. Because we still have Kurakhove, Vuhledar. The situation there is also tough. There is ongoing fighting around Selydove, on the southern flank," he added.

Therefore, Musiienko said it is premature to talk about battles in the Dnipropetrovsk region just yet.

"We need to prepare for various scenarios. I think the region has also prepared and is preparing, but talking about it right now is somewhat premature," the expert emphasized.

Situation on the frontline

According to the General Staff, as of the start of the day on September 4, there have already been 107 combat engagements on the front. The most intense fighting is currently taking place in the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions. The Defense Forces are taking all necessary measures to prevent the enemy from advancing further into Ukrainian territory.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the operation by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region has likely forced the enemy to redeploy some of its troops there, despite their preparations for attacks in the Pokrovsk direction.