Russian Forces Unlikely to Capture Key Donbas Cities in 2023, Analysts Say

Russian troops face significant challenges in breaching Ukraine’s defensive stronghold in the Donbas, according to military analysts. The fortified cities of Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk, collectively known as Ukraine's 'fortress belt,' remain firmly in Ukrainian control despite sustained pressure from Moscow. Sources indicate that the Kremlin has demanded these cities’ surrender but lacks the operational capability to achieve victory in this strategic region within the