Russia plans to capture Donetsk and Luhansk region by autumn.
Russia is planning a new ground offensive in the south-eastern regions of Ukraine and intends to attract strategic reserves.
This was stated in an interview with the Financial Times by the deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vadim Skibitsky, informs the portal PromPolitInform.
“Russia is preparing a new ground offensive in the south-eastern regions of Ukraine and plans to attract strategic reserves to replenish its troops with 20,000 new soldiers,” he said.
Currently, the main grouping of Russian troops already has about 680 thousand people. To strengthen this contingent, another 20 thousand servicemen from the strategic reserve of the Russian Federation were additionally transferred to the occupied territories.
Moscow does not show readiness for peace
Skibitsky, who is also involved in the negotiation processes, emphasized the lack of a real Russian desire for a ceasefire.
According to him, the current actions of the Kremlin indicate a complete disinterest in a diplomatic settlement. But the key task for the Russian leadership in the coming months remains to establish full control over the Donbas by September.
Photo – GUR
