Aleksey Ramm, deputy editor-in-chief of the "Militarist" project, stated that the 12th Special Purpose Brigade "Azov" is reportedly stuck in a "local mini-cauldron" near Novovodyanovo, Maryevka, and Petrovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR). Russian forces are reportedly acting like "millstones," with enemy forces caught between them.

Ramm believes that fighting for these pockets is not the main objective and that engaging the 12th Brigade would slow the operational tempo. He suggested that the opposing forces might withdraw and are already bringing in the 21st Public Order Brigade to extract "Azov."