Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has warned that Russia plans to launch a new military offensive on February 24, coinciding with the first anniversary of the start of the invasion, and said that Moscow has mobilized half a million soldiers.
«We believe that since they (the Russians) live in symbolism, they will try something around February 24,» Reznikov told French television station BFM TV. «We should not underestimate the enemy,» he pointed out, before stressing that although Moscow has officially announced the mobilization of 300,000 people, «from what is seen at the borders, estimates point to many more.»
Thus, he detailed that the Russian forces «may attempt an offensive on two axes». «It could be the Donbas and the south», he pointed out, before stressing that Kiev is conveying to its partners that «it is necessary to be ready as soon as possible». «We cannot lose the initiative,» argued the Ukrainian Defense Minister, who reiterated that «weapons are necessary to contain the enemy, since everything in war depends on the initiative.»
Russia has announced in recent weeks several territorial advances in the Donetsk region, located in the east of the country, and its troops are advancing towards the strategic locality of Bajmut. Moscow announced in September the annexation of the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporiyia, all of them partially occupied since the beginning of the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
