Fearing a new attack

February 24 marks one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now a new offensive from Vladimir Putin to regain the initiative in the war is feared, according to several sources.

The famous news site bloomberg He is among those reporting on the development, and refers to sources in the Russian state apparatus. They write that Putin is preparing a major offensive in response, after Russia suffered a series of defeats in the war.

According to their sources, Putin still believes he can win the war despite the military defeats, and is preparing for a prolonged war effort.

Not likely at all

The opinion is also shared by Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which shared daily analyzes from the war. They wrote that it was “extremely unlikely” that Russia would attack Ukraine in the north of Belarus, and that the new attack would most likely take place in the Ukrainian-held areas of Luhansk, the part of eastern Ukraine annexed by Russia.

The recent attack on the Zaporizhia region by Russian forces may be part of a diversionary maneuver regarding Ukraine’s new offensive to redeploy its forces, according to the think tank.

The attack is likely to take place in the next six months. If successful, the offensive could continue into the Kharkiv region in the northeast and north of Donetsk, according to the Institute for International Studies.

On Saturday, a Ukrainian official warned that Russia is likely to do so A major offensive was launched on the occasion of the first anniversary of the war in feb.

Vadym Skipetsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s secret service, claimed earlier this week that Russia was planning a major offensive in the spring.

– It’s not abnormal

Retired Lt. Gen. Arne Bord-Dalhog isn’t surprised if a new Russian offensive is on the way.

– It was said from the Russian side, as well as from military bloggers, that the offensive is on paper. It is not unnatural to suppose, as we approach the autumnal anniversary of the war. On the Ukrainian side, the head of the Security Council stated, among other things, that Russia’s immediate goals are to seize the entire part of Luhansk and Donetsk, he told Dagbladet TV.

Dalhough believes Putin is in a pinch right now as February 24 approaches.

– It is reasonable to expect that Putin has a strong desire to achieve some kind of success on the battlefield before February 24th. It will be a normal day to look back at what has been done, what has been achieved, and what has been lost. There is a great political need to acquire something tangible that would allow you to create a story that justifies all the losses that Russia has suffered, he says.