Putin is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine in February-March - Bloomberg

Putin is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine in February-March - Bloomberg

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine already in February-March and at the same time is hardening his country for a long-term confrontation with the USA and its allies.

 

 This is reported by Bloomberg.

 

 Russia is said to be seeking to demonstrate that its forces can regain the initiative after months of losing ground, putting pressure on Ukraine and its allies to agree to some kind of ceasefire that leaves the aggressor country in control of the occupied territories.

 

 At the same time, the publication's sources report that Putin remains convinced that the involvement of more forces and the readiness to accept new losses will allow Russia to win despite the failures it has experienced so far.

 

 People close to the Kremlin noted that the resumption of the Russian offensive could begin as early as February-March. They suggest that it may begin before Ukraine receives the recently promised deliveries of battle tanks from the United States and Europe.

 

 Putin's determination heralds another deadly escalation in his war, as Ukraine prepares a new push of its own to throw out his forces.

 

 "Putin is disappointed with the way things are going, but he is not ready to give up on his goals. It just means that the road will be longer, bloodier and worse for everyone," said Tetiana Stanova, founder of political consultancy R. Politik.

 

U.S. and European intelligence officials question whether Russia has the resources for another major offensive, even after mobilizing 300,000 additional troops last fall. Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies are ramping up arms supplies.

 

 It is also reported that brutal Russian attacks in places like Bakhmut have depleted Ukrainian forces, distracting troops and undermining Ukraine's ability to conduct offensive operations elsewhere.

 

 After blitzkrieg attacks by Ukrainian forces in the summer and fall that breached Russian defense lines, the aggressor country has beefed up its defenses, using trenches, tank traps and mines to slow any potential advance.

 

 At the same time, Russia has not demonstrated the ability to quickly seize Ukrainian territories, because in the last 6 months it occupied only one small city, suffering huge losses.

 

 However, Ukrainian troops constantly surprise their allies by successfully repelling enemy attacks and returning their territories.

 

 Still, U.S. and European military officials fear the war could soon devolve into a World War I-style artillery battle with mostly stagnant front lines -- a scenario that could favor Russia, with its larger population and military industry.

 

 "If nothing changes, we will face a war of attrition like World War I, which could last a long time because both sides believe that time is on their side," said Andrey Kortunov, head of Russia's Kremlin-founded international affairs department.

 

 It will be recalled that Ukrainian intelligence also warned that Putin may be preparing the Russians for a long-term war against Ukraine.



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Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine already in February-March and at the same time is hardening his country for a long-term confrontation with the USA and its allies.

 

 This is reported by Bloomberg.

 

 Russia is said to be seeking to demonstrate that its forces can regain the initiative after months of losing ground, putting pressure on Ukraine and its allies to agree to some kind of ceasefire that leaves the aggressor country in control of the occupied territories.

 

 At the same time, the publication's sources report that Putin remains convinced that the involvement of more forces and the readiness to accept new losses will allow Russia to win despite the failures it has experienced so far.

 

 People close to the Kremlin noted that the resumption of the Russian offensive could begin as early as February-March. They suggest that it may begin before Ukraine receives the recently promised deliveries of battle tanks from the United States and Europe.

 

 Putin's determination heralds another deadly escalation in his war, as Ukraine prepares a new push of its own to throw out his forces.

 

 "Putin is disappointed with the way things are going, but he is not ready to give up on his goals. It just means that the road will be longer, bloodier and worse for everyone," said Tetiana Stanova, founder of political consultancy R. Politik.

 

U.S. and European intelligence officials question whether Russia has the resources for another major offensive, even after mobilizing 300,000 additional troops last fall. Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies are ramping up arms supplies.

 

 It is also reported that brutal Russian attacks in places like Bakhmut have depleted Ukrainian forces, distracting troops and undermining Ukraine's ability to conduct offensive operations elsewhere.

 

 After blitzkrieg attacks by Ukrainian forces in the summer and fall that breached Russian defense lines, the aggressor country has beefed up its defenses, using trenches, tank traps and mines to slow any potential advance.

 

 At the same time, Russia has not demonstrated the ability to quickly seize Ukrainian territories, because in the last 6 months it occupied only one small city, suffering huge losses.

 

 However, Ukrainian troops constantly surprise their allies by successfully repelling enemy attacks and returning their territories.

 

 Still, U.S. and European military officials fear the war could soon devolve into a World War I-style artillery battle with mostly stagnant front lines -- a scenario that could favor Russia, with its larger population and military industry.

 

 "If nothing changes, we will face a war of attrition like World War I, which could last a long time because both sides believe that time is on their side," said Andrey Kortunov, head of Russia's Kremlin-founded international affairs department.

 

 It will be recalled that Ukrainian intelligence also warned that Putin may be preparing the Russians for a long-term war against Ukraine.