Despite Russia’s recent military losses, Ukraine has accused Russia of plotting a massive ground invasion early in the new year.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and other high-ranking officials have cautioned Kyiv and its supporters against complacency.
According to top generals, the offensive might be launched in the eastern Donbas region, in the south, or even against Kyiv.
According to Western observers, Russia’s capacity to undertake successful offensive combat operations is dwindling rapidly.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the most senior British military officer, stated this week that the battle will only worsen for Moscow, which now faces a serious lack of artillery ammunition.
In a series of briefings to the media, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that increasing evidence suggests Russia, which has suffered a string of combat losses, is planning a massive new attack.
He hypothesized that this may occur in February when half of the 300,000 men drafted by Russia to support the Ukraine war in October would complete training.
Mr. Reznikov told that the second part of the mobilization, consisting of around 150,000 troops, will take a minimum of three months to organize. This indicates that the next wave of the offensive will likely begin in February like it did last year.
“The Kremlin is looking for new ways to achieve success,” he stated, adding that he expects Russia to mobilize even more citizens.
In recent interviews, President Zelensky, General Valery Zaluzhny, and General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Moscow’s new offensive could begin as early as January, but is more likely to occur in the spring. The Economist reported on Thursday that President Zelensky, General Valery Zaluzhny, and General Oleksandr Syrskyi provided this assessment.
General Zaluzhny, the leader of Ukraine’s armed forces, stated, “The Russians are preparing approximately 200,000 more troops, and I do not doubt that they will attempt to retake Kyiv.”
Russia is “100% prepared,” he claimed, adding that Ukraine’s “extremely important strategic mission… is to establish reserves and prepare for the war, which might occur in February, at best in March, and at worst at the end of January.”
“It may not begin in Donbas, but rather in the direction of Kyiv, Belarus, or even the south,” he stated.
Both parties have rejected a Christmas cease-fire, and there are presently no peace negotiations.
Military analysts predict a winter stalemate despite the continuation of severe fighting, particularly in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces are attempting to seize the town of Bakhmut.
With Western assistance, Ukraine has greatly upgraded its air defenses against Russian missiles but is requesting more advanced equipment.
On Thursday, western allies increased their support by providing additional funds and training for the troops.
The leaders of the European Union have agreed to provide Ukraine with €18 billion (£15.7 billion) in funding and to impose the ninth round of sanctions on Russia.
The US military said in Washington that it will enhance the training of Ukrainian military personnel in Germany. Since April, the United States and its allies have trained more than 15,000 Ukrainians. Beginning in January, 500 troops per month will be trained, adding to the training of more than 15,000 Ukrainians by the United States and its allies since April.
