马里乌波尔之后, 乌军的在被北顿巴斯的形势不好，约一万精锐被切割，最后一条补给公路进入俄军攻击范围，西媒报道中也可以看出端倪.
华盛顿战争研究所：Russian forces reportedly intensified efforts to break through Ukrainian defenses around Popasna in order to push towards Severodonetsk from the south on May 20. Pro-Russian news sources reported that Russian forces made advances through Ukrainian lines of defense in three directions. Russian Airborne (VDV) forces reportedly took control of Volodymirivka and Lypove, and broke through Ukrainian defenses in Komyshuvakha, all north of Popasna. Troops of the Russian ”Wagner” Private Military Company reportedly took control of Trypillya and Vyskrivka to the west of Popasna. Ukrainian sources noted that offensive operations are on-going in Vyskrivka. Russian forces additionally reportedly took control of Troitske, south of Popasna. Such reports are consistent with Ukrainian General Staff statements that the Russian grouping around Popasna is trying to take new frontiers in the area
纽时： "With Russia’s campaign in Ukraine increasingly focused on the south and east, it is making “incremental progress” in the Donbas region, according to the Pentagon spokesman."
