Russia has 5 scenarios for expanding war from northern Ukraine - Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: facebook.com/zelenskyy.official)
Russia has five scenarios for expanding the war in Chernihiv-Kyiv direction. Ukraine will increase forces in this area in view of possible threat, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The head of state spoke about the results of the staff meeting during which intelligence data regarding Russia's planning of offensive operations in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction were analyzed.
"Ukraine will definitely defend itself, and now our task is to strengthen our state so that none of the five Russian scenarios for expanding war through northern Ukraine succeeds," Zelenskyy emphasized.
He noted that Ukraine is preparing responses for every possible course of action if Russia decides to expand its aggression. The President added that Ukrainian forces in this direction will be increased.
"I instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to prepare additional measures of diplomatic influence regarding Belarus, which may be used by Russia for such expansion of war. Corresponding non-public tasks also exist for Ukrainian intelligence services," Zelenskyy said.
Russia intensified attempts to involve Belarus in further military actions against Ukraine and contacted Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on this matter.
On Monday, May 18, exercises of military units involving the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support began in Belarus. They are being conducted with the involvement of the Russian side.
The Institute for the Study of War stated that Russia launched nuclear exercises to demonstrate strength to Ukraine's allies and thereby pressure them. In addition, the Kremlin seeks to distract attention from failures on the front line in this way.
