Key facts
- Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated forces are preparing for a potential new Russian offensive from the north.
- Syrskyi believes the most likely scenario involves offensive action from Russia's Bryansk region.
- The objective of such an operation would be to stretch the front line and draw Ukrainian forces away from other areas, not to advance on Kyiv.
- Syrskyi expressed doubt about further involvement from Belarus.
- He noted indications of Russian troop exhaustion and a decline in front-line battle intensity.
Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has indicated that Ukrainian forces are preparing for a potential new Russian offensive originating from the north, specifically from Russia's Bryansk region. In an interview broadcast on Tuesday, Syrskyi stated that while this is a realistic option, the objective would likely be to stretch the front line and deplete Ukrainian reserves, rather than a repeat of the initial attempt to advance on Kyiv.
Syrskyi expressed skepticism regarding further involvement from Belarus, a neighbor that previously allowed its territory to be used for Russia's initial invasion. He suggested that the Belarusian leadership would be unlikely to agree to such a role again, although Ukraine is still accounting for this possibility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had previously issued warnings to Belarus and stated that relay stations used for attacks were no longer operating.
Furthermore, Syrskyi observed signs of exhaustion among Russian troops, noting a decline in the intensity of front-line battles. He reported a 30% decrease in Russian frontline activity, coinciding with Ukrainian forces carrying out long-range strikes, primarily targeting the oil industry.