Russia may launch offensive on two fronts on anniversary of 2022 invasion – Ukraine's Defence Minister

Oleksii Reznikov,  the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, has called for new military assistance from NATO countries because he expects an offensive of the Russian army in Ukraine's east or south.

Source: Oleksii Reznikov on BFMTV

Quote from Reznikov: "We can’t lose the initiative... We think that, given that they [Russians, - ed.] live by symbols, they can try something around 24 February…

Details: Reznikov spoke of "500,000 Russian soldiers" mobilised by the Kremlin.

"They officially declared about 300,000, but when we see their troops at the borders, according to our estimates, it is much more," explained the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

According to Reznikov, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation "can carry out an offensive on two fronts: it can be Donbas, and it can be the south."

This is the scenario that Kyiv is preparing for; it prompts President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government to ask for new military assistance from NATO allies, BFMTV notes.

Quote from Reznikov: "We tell our partners that we should be prepared as soon as possible. That is why we need weapons to deter the enemy, because initiative decides everything in war."

Details: The Minister of Defence of Ukraine thanked France for sending another 12 Caesar howitzers.

He emphasised the need for Ukraine to quickly obtain "air assets", i.e. the aircraft.

Reznikov asked Western allies to train Ukrainian pilots on planes that would probably be provided by allied countries.

Background:

• Government representatives, intelligence and experts believe that Russia is preparing for a new offensive in February-March and that the next few months may be particularly difficult for Ukraine, but they would be decisive ones in the war.
• Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, said that he did not rule out "any scenario in the next two to three weeks" and that "the main fights are yet to come." In his opinion, Russian President Vladimir Putin will try to launch a new attack from the north, south and east, as happened on 24 February, 2022 – perhaps timed to coincide with the anniversary of the invasion.
• Ukraine is on the eve of the "very active phase" of the war; intensive operations are expected at the front in February and March, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence.

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