Ukraine reacts to reports of Russia preparing spring offensive in the south
Illustrative photo: Media reported on preparations for a Russian spring offensive (GettyImages)
Western media reported on Russia's possible preparations for offensive actions in southern Ukraine. The Ukrainian side emphasizes that the enemy's plans have long been known, and the Defense Forces are taking measures to thwart them, according to the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, Andriy Kovalenko.
Read also: Ukraine's southern forces deny counteroffensive rumors fueled by Russian maps
In his report, Welt journalist Christoph Wanner notes that based on an analysis of open sources, satellite images, and reports from military bloggers, experts have identified several possible areas of increased Russian military activity. These include the areas of Pokrovsk, Huliaipole, and the territory west of Zaporizhzhia.
The article emphasizes that some of the information cannot be independently verified, and the conclusions are based primarily on analysis of open data and expert assessments.
Reaction from the Ukrainian side
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, said that Western media are not the primary source of information about Russia's plans. According to him, the Ukrainian side has been reporting since December-January that the enemy is preparing reserves to increase pressure on the front.
He stressed that the Ukrainian command is aware of the enemy's plans, and the Ukrainian Defense Forces are doing everything possible to thwart any potential offensive actions.
Situation on the front line
Earlier it was reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had liberated the village of Ternuvate in the Zaporizhzhia region from Russian troops, and the village is now under Ukrainian control.
Russian troops have recently been actively transferring their elite airborne units to the Orikhiv direction, which may indicate significant enemy losses in this section of the front. According to the military, the enemy has been accumulating personnel in forward positions for a long time to prepare for assaults toward Orikhiv, one of the key directions where Russia plans to intensify its offensive in 2026.
