Successive statements from Ukraine’s top officials have frightened the whole world. While Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that Russia could launch a major attack by February, the statement made by the Ukrainian Chief of General Staff revealed that this attack would be very different from the previous ones.
As the war in Ukraine, which started on February 24th, continues in its 10th month, senior Ukrainian officials have made statements one after the other that put the world’s heart in its mouth.
RUSSIA IS PREPARING A NEW ATTACK
In an interview with the Guardian, Ukraine’s defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, claimed that Ukraine is now successfully defending itself against Russia’s massive missile attacks, while the Kremlin is preparing a large-scale offensive.
HE GAVE A DATE, IT COULD HAPPEN BY FEBRUARY
Defense Minister Reznikov stated that they have evidence that Russia is preparing for a major offensive and that the offensive could take place by February.
Pointing out that Russia conscripted about 300 thousand Russian citizens with the partial mobilization announced in October, Reznikov claimed that some of these soldiers were immediately sent to the front to prevent casualties, while others were being prepared extensively for the next major offensive.
NEW WAVE ON THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR
The Ukrainian minister drew special attention to February, when the war will enter its first full year: “Half of the mobilized soldiers have started training courses in different camps. They are planning a wave of attacks in February this year, as they did last year, with at least 3 months of training. This is their plan.”
“WE MUST BE READY FOR A NEW WAR”
Although Reznikov pointed to February for Russia’s major offensive, Ukraine’s Chief of the General Staff Valery Zaluzhny said that it could start at the end of January, adding, “We must be ready for a new war.”
WILL ATTACK WITH A MUCH LARGER ARMY: 200,000 MEN…
The top Ukrainian military officer has warned that Russia is building a new 200,000-strong army for a second major offensive that could begin within weeks.
When RUSSIA launched its first attack on Ukraine in February last year, it used a military force of 175,000. Russia’s second wave of aggression could be much bigger if the Ukrainian chief of staff’s claims are true.
WHERE COULD THE SECOND OFFENSIVE BEGIN?
Zaluzhny told The Economist that he did not expect the offensive to start in the Donbas region, “It could come from the Belarusian side, I don’t rule out Crimea. Putin has created a new army of 200,000 men. I am sure he will try his luck in Kiev.”
Zaluzhny said they urgently need tanks, armored vehicles and heavy weapons and called on Western allies to increase arms supplies.
