"They are using their reserves very poorly. In this operation, Ukrainian command confidently outplays them at the operational level." Aleksey Arestovich, the ex-adviser to the head of the President's Office, spoke about the situation at the Southern front in a conversation with Russian human rights activist and journalist Mark Feygin

"It's important to understand the beauty of the game. The thing is, very few reserves they have are capable of blocking all directions on the southern front, and there are already four main directions. Yet, they only had enough for two. Now, imagine if another one is added. Or two? We are fully capable and can strongly participate in this game.

The front isn't cracking yet, but it's very, very, very close. And as always, Russian propagandists rushed ahead, telling and showing how they heroically triumphed, how they pushed back, and so on. This is a clear sign that things are going extremely poorly for them, and they themselves evaluate it as such. Therefore, the Southern front is gradually cracking like tightly stretched fabric being pushed, pushed, pushed. I believe that it will rupture within the foreseeable future, somewhere out there for sure. Because they are no longer able to rely on reserves.

They are using their reserves very poorly. In this operation, Ukrainian command confidently outplays them at the operational level. In reality, about 85 percent of their reserves, which were involved in the Southern direction, are already suffering. When they lose combat capability in one way or another, simply because they will be trapped in battles and unable to move, that's when Hour X will strike. When reserves are needed somewhere, but there will be nowhere to get them from.

Then, there will be either a shift from other parts of the front. Another possibility is a shift from Crimea. There's a decent grouping there, and there is already something on the left bank of the Dnieper. Well, firstly, they are not that numerous. Secondly, this radically means weakening in other areas that, I assure you, the Ukrainian command won't hesitate to exploit. So, the Southern front is being heated up to the required state. We will likely see some tangible results in the short historical term."