The time of the start of the offensive depends on the strength of the defense in Donbass, but it is assumed that the main Russian movement will begin “in late May or early June.”
The Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Vadim Skibitsky, suggests that Russia is preparing for an attack on the Kharkov and Sumy regions in late May or early June. He said this on Thursday, May 2, in an interview with The Economist.
He noted that Russia has a total of 514,000 ground troops committed to the Ukrainian operation, exceeding the 470,000 figure cited last month by NATO chief Gen. Christopher Cavoli.
According to the deputy head of the GUR, the northern group of Russia, based on the border with Kharkov, currently has 35,000 military personnel, but the invaders intend to increase it to 50,000-70,000 military personnel. Russia was also “forming a division of reserves” (ie, 15,000 to 20,000 men) in central Russia, which it could add to the main force.
At the same time, Skibitsky emphasized that it was not enough to capture the big cities.
“A quick entry and exit operation is possible but an operation to take Kharkov or even the city of Sumy is a different order and we know this,” he said.
We remind you that in the Sumy region additional temporary restrictions of a special regime were introduced within the five-kilometer zone from the Ukrainian state border due to Russia’s shelling.
Aggravation near the Sumy region: why were Kadyrov’s men brought there?
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.