Russia pushes to seize all of Donetsk region: Which cities are at risk
Photo: Russian troops could advance to the outskirts of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk (Getty Images)
Russia's military currently lacks the forces and resources needed for a rapid breakthrough across Ukraine's defensive lines in the Donetsk region. Even so, Moscow could still capture another major city, according to an RBC-Ukraine report.
Sources in Ukraine's military and political circles told the outlet that Ukraine could lose Kostiantynivka within the next few months.
Lyman and Dobropillia are also considered at risk. According to one source, in the worst-case scenario for Ukraine, Russian troops could advance to the outskirts of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk by the end of winter.
"However, to reach these cities, it is not enough for the Russians to slowly push the front line forward. They will have to consistently overcome prepared defensive lines, extend their flanks, and bring up logistics, all while constantly being under fire from Ukrainian drones," the source said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding that his forces reach the administrative borders of the Donetsk region by the end of 2026. However, the sources said such a scenario remains unlikely.
They also declined to predict whether the Kremlin could achieve that objective even in 2027.
"A possible new Russian operation from the north remains an open question. The sources lean toward the view that Russia could conduct an operation with limited forces, attempting to breach the border in the Chernihiv region or even the Kyiv region," the report said.
According to the report, Russia's Bryansk region could serve as the staging ground for such an offensive. The sources added that the direct involvement of Belarus is not currently considered essential.
Even if Russia launches another offensive in northern Ukraine, the sources do not believe it would be capable of making a deep advance toward the Ukrainian capital.
Instead, the Kremlin could present such an operation as an attempt to establish a so-called buffer zone along the Ukrainian border.
"But even that would rather be a tool for a broader plan — to stretch our defense along the border and force Ukraine to pull forces away from where the Russians are trying to achieve their main result — in the Donetsk region," the report said.
Overall, future developments will largely depend on Putin's decision regarding a new mobilization campaign and its scale.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported how a successful Ukrainian counterattack disrupted Russian plans near Sloviansk.
The outlet also reported on a secret request President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made to US President Donald Trump in an effort to weaken Russia.
In addition, Zelenskyy recently disclosed Ukraine's and Russia's wartime losses.
