Advisor to the head of the "DNR" Igor Kimakovskiy compares Kramatorsk factories to "Azovstal"

Assessment of the difficulty of defending Kramatorsk

Igor Kimakovskiy, an advisor to the head of the so-called "DNR", expressed an opinion on the potential difficulty of capturing Kramatorsk by Russian forces. According to him, the city will become a significantly more difficult target compared to Druzhkivka, which, in his view, will not pose a serious obstacle to the advance.

Comparison of industrial facilities with "Azovstal"

In his statement, Kimakovskiy paid particular attention to the infrastructure of the Stare Kramatorsk Machine-Building Plant (SKMZ), known colloquially as "Stary Mash". He claims that the enterprise is equipped with an extensive system of underground communications and shelters.

«І за розміром, і за катакомбами, і за сховищами», — уточнив радник керівника «ДНР», порівнюючи ці характеристики з «Азовсталлю». ("In terms of size, catacombs, and shelters," the advisor to the head of the "DNR" clarified, comparing these characteristics with "Azovstal".)

Creation of fortified positions

Kimakovskiy also mentioned the Novokramatorsk Machine-Building Plant (NKMZ). According to him, both industrial facilities have allegedly been turned into powerful defensive nodes.

«Там же старі, нові механічні заводи (СКМЗ і НКМЗ), хто знає, — так ось вони з них уже створили фактично таку саму фортецю, як "Азовсталь"», — наголосив він. ("There are the old and new mechanical plants (SKMZ and NKMZ), who knows, — so they have already created a fortress there, practically the same as 'Azovstal'," he emphasised.)

Capture scenarios and the desire for a non-combat surrender

The advisor to the head of the "DNR" believes that conducting a direct assault on SKMZ and NKMZ is not rational. Instead, in his view, Russian forces need to carry out a deep encirclement of the entire Kramatorsk agglomeration.

At the same time, Kimakovskiy expressed hope that the Ukrainian defenders would surrender without resistance. «Я мрію, що ГРУ Генштабу ще вестиме переговори про те, щоб узяти в полон український гарнізон цих заводів», — додав він. ("I dream that the GRU of the General Staff will still conduct negotiations to take the Ukrainian garrison of these factories prisoner," he added.)