Winter on frontlines: Key predictions for Ukraine
Photo: The situation at the front will not change significantly in winter (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Regarding possible developments on the front during winter, it is unlikely that Ukraine will shift from defense to offense, at least until the inauguration of the next US president, Donald Trump, on January 20, 2025, according to an article by RBC-Ukraine titled "No respite for Ukraine: How Russia's winter offensive could play out and what’s next for Kursk front."
As highlighted in the piece, Trump has promised to end the war quickly, bring both sides to the negotiating table, and has sent alarming signals about potentially halting military aid. Until then, Russia will likely continue exerting maximum pressure on the battlefield.
"After the inauguration, we will reassess the circumstances and the broader geopolitical situation," said Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military-political expert and member of the Information Resistance group, in comments to RBC-Ukraine.
According to him, Ukraine’s tactics and strategy for conducting combat operations will not undergo radical changes.
"Could we carry out an unexpected operation? I don’t rule it out, especially to strengthen our hand if peace negotiations are proposed," Kovalenko added.
Russian offensive
Russia has been conducting offensive operations since October of last year. During this time, they have managed to capture several towns in the Donetsk region, including Avdiivka, Vuhledar, and Selydove.
The enemy’s gradual advance continues on several fronts simultaneously — Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar. Meanwhile, in August, the Ukrainian Armed Forces took control of parts of Russia’s Kursk region and have retained these territories.
According to British intelligence, the southern part of the Donetsk region remains the top priority for Russian forces.
