The likelihood of a new Russian offensive on Kyiv depends on battles in the east - Ministry of Defence

Kateryna Tyshchenko - Monday, 11 April 2022, 18:27

The Ministry of Defence believes that the likelihood of Russian troops resuming the offensive on Kyiv depends on the outcome of the battles in eastern Ukraine.

Source: Oleksandr Motuzianyk, Ministry of Defence spokesperson, at a briefing at "Ukraine Media Centre"

Quote: "The question of a possible resumption of the enemy's attack on the capital depends on the battles that continue in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts."

Details: According to Oleksandr Motuzianyk, outlying aggressors’ units remain in the Gomel region of Belarus, as well as in the Bryansk and Kursk oblasts of the Russian Federation. Most likely, their task is to demonstrate a presence that will distract Ukrainian defence forces.

"This is clearly a type of Russian Federation tactical game, aimed at keeping Ukrainian army units here [near the northern border of Ukraine] and preventing them from being transferred to more difficult operational zones, including the east and south of Ukraine," he said.

The Ministry of Defence spokesperson also said that Russia had almost completed preparations for an offensive operation in eastern Ukraine.

Quote: "According to our information, the enemy has approached the phase of completing the restoration of its units and transferring them to the territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

We anticipate that active hostilities will begin in these areas in the near future. At the same time, the Ukrainian army is ready for this. We cannot predict when this will happen. We receive reports from Western sources. At the same time, the enemy has almost completed preparations for the offensive operation."

Background: Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko does not rule out the possibility that Russian troops will try to seize the capital again.

Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Hruzevych believes that Russia will try to carry out a second offensive against Kyiv after the regrouping of troops.