Russia to prepare offensive ahead Putin's re-election, seeking 'small victories,' Zelenskyy states
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: president.gov.ua)
The Russian military leadership will seek some success in the war against Ukraine before the re-election of dictator Vladimir Putin for the purpose of an information campaign. Therefore, by March, the occupiers will likely attempt to make advancements, states President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a briefing with representatives of Baltic media in Latvia.
"Will they (Russian troops - Ed.) be preparing counter-offensive actions? Yes, they will. When? Considering that a person is preparing for elections, it is approximately clear that they want some small tactical victories to raise informationally before and prepare for something global or massive afterward," notes the head of the state.
According to Zelenskyy, this is how the actions of the invaders on the front can be predicted in the coming weeks and months.
At the same time, the Ukrainian president points out that despite the spread of rumors and Kremlin propaganda narratives, the invaders "could not occupy anything and move forward realistically."
"They are a complicated enemy - they are not afraid to kill civilians, so it's a tough enemy... They can destroy everything, and then enter - such tactics," Zelenskyy expresses regarding the possibility of greater escalation in the theater of military operations.
The President adds that the situation on the front is "very difficult because we lack weapons."
"Are they accumulating troops? They are. Did they say they would take Avdiivka? They didn't take it. Do they want to do it? Yes," he adds.
Zelenskyy also explains that the enemy still has control over the skies of Ukraine, so the Armed Forces "do not have wide strides forward."
Frontline situation
Earlier today, on January 11, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 73 combat clashes during the day. The defense forces repelled several attacks in the Lyman direction and near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian forces are holding back the invaders in the east and preparing a decisive response. According to the command's statement, the enemy will not like it.
According to the commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskii, Russian occupiers are preparing an offensive in the Siversk direction and on Chasiv Yar.
Read about the situation on the front and whether Russia will dare to advance towards Kharkiv or Chernihiv - in the overview by RBC-Ukraine
