Russian troops will attack on unexpected parts of the front in Ukraine and may try to advance on the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the commander of the Ukrainian National Guard said on Tuesday (23).
Ukraine's second-largest city has been attacked by missiles and drones in recent weeks, but Kiev's forces will be prepared to thwart any attacks, Oleksandr Pivnenko said.
“We are preparing. Yes, the enemy will give us unpleasant surprises. It will operate in areas where we don't expect it. But he will not achieve his goal,” he told Ukrainian media outlet Liga.net.
Russia has been advancing slowly in the east, but long-delayed US military assistance is expected to finally be approved this week and reach Ukraine soon, alleviating critical shortages of munitions and air defenses.
Ukrainian officials say they expect a Russian offensive in the late spring or summer, and that they believe Moscow wants to seize the strategically important eastern town of Chasiv Yar by May 9, which marks Soviet Victory Day in Ukraine. Second World War.
Pivnenko said he saw “some difficulties” for Kiev's troops, but that Russian forces would not make decisive gains.
“Maybe they can achieve 10 to 15% of their goals. But this will not be a strategic victory.”
He expects Russian troops to continue attacking Kharkiv's critical infrastructure, much of which has already been damaged or destroyed in Russian strikes, but not to capture the city.
Source: CNN Brasil
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