The command of the Defense Forces of Ukraine warns: Russia is preparing a new large-scale offensive operation this spring. According to the commander of the 1st assault battalion of the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Fokin, active hostilities may resume as early as April. The main direction of the strike will probably be the Borovaya district in the Kharkiv region.
“Active training has been ongoing in the rear areas of Russia for over a month. Well-equipped reserves are being trained, which will presumably be used for the offensive. Most likely, fighting will intensify precisely in the area of responsibility of our brigade,” Fokin said.
Despite this, the commander emphasizes that information regarding the exact time of the offensive is currently preliminary. Similar assessments are made by other Ukrainian officials.
In particular, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, suggests that the Kremlin may intensify offensive actions not in April, but in May. He noted that Russia is still accumulating resources, rotating units, and building logistics for a strike.
Signals about Russian preparations for a large-scale offensive are also confirmed by international think tanks. For example, Western media outlets previously reported on the Kremlin's preparations for a new phase of hostilities, citing satellite imagery, equipment movements, and interceptions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also warned the other day that Russia is preparing a new offensive wave by the end of spring. In his opinion, the enemy will try to use the pause in the West's decision on new arms supplies to increase pressure on the front.
According to a number of military experts, one of the main directions of the upcoming operation may be the Zaporizhzhia direction, in particular the Orekhov and Tokmak areas. The Russians will try to expand the so-called "land corridor" to Crimea and push the Ukrainian Armed Forces away from the dangerous proximity to Melitopol.
Ukrainian military units, according to information from open sources, are already on high alert. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting enhanced reconnaissance, strengthening positions, and monitoring enemy logistics.
