Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin “is trying to buy time and is preparing for a spring offensive.” He shared this information in an interview with the French publication Le Figaro.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Zelensky noted that Ukrainian intelligence has detected Russia’s preparations for a large-scale military operation, and this information has already been passed on to allies. “We see preparations for this upcoming operation. We have shared intelligence data with our allies… Putin is preparing a new offensive, particularly in Sumy and Kharkiv regions,” emphasized the head of state.
Threat from Russian Forces
Zelensky also added that eight months ago, Russia planned to launch this offensive, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine thwarted these plans during operations in the Kursk region. In August 2024, the Third Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced an offensive and the return of controlled territories in Kharkiv, and on August 23, the unit reported on “stabilization actions.”
Situation on the Front
Additionally, defense forces reported on August 9 that near Vovchansk in Kharkiv, the Russian army is preparing for assaults in the areas of the aggregate plant and multi-story buildings. Earlier, Zelensky mentioned that after a failed offensive in Kharkiv, Russian troops concentrated the largest number of equipment and personnel in the Pokrovsk direction.
The Sumy region was completely liberated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the end of April 2022, while the large-scale liberation of Kharkiv occurred in September 2022, during a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive, which saw the liberation of cities such as Izium, Balakliya, and Kupiansk.