Ukraine: Russian troops near Kherson after ‘death ray’ strike
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has warned that Russia is planning a new assault on Ukraine with 200,000 men poised to go into action. He pointed out there is “no sign” that Vladimir Putin is “preparing for peace”, indicating that world leaders are preparing for a long drawn-out war.
In the last few days, reports have emerged that Russia is planning a new Spring offensive.
Vladimir Putin could also mobilise another 500,000 men on top of the 300,000 conscripts called up in October.
Ukraine believes the new attack could happen on February 24, a significant date as it exactly 12 months on from when the invasion started.
Mr Stoltenberg warned that NATO allies to “prepare for the long haul” and said it is “extremely important that Putin doesn’t win”.
He added that Putin will not join talks for a peace deal because he still “believes he can win on the battlefield”.
Speaking while in South Korea, Mr Stoletenberg said: “We don’t see any signs that President Putin and rules in Moscow are preparing for peace.”
“We see the opposite. We see that they are preparing for more war, that they are mobilizing more soldiers, more than 200,000, and potentially even more than that.
“That they are actively acquiring new weapons, more ammunition, ramping up their own production, but also acquiring more weapons from other authoritarian states like Iran and North Korea.
“And most of all, we have seen no sign that President Putin has changed his overall goal of this invasion that is to control a neighbour, to control Ukraine.
“So as long as this is the case, we need to be prepared for long haul.”
He continued: “What we do know it that what happens around that table is inextricably linked to and totally dependent on the situation on the battlefield.
“So if we really want Ukraine to prevail as a sovereign, independent nation in Europe, then we need to support them now.
“Military support today makes it possible to reach a peace agreement tomorrow.”
Ukrainian military leaders have also warned of Russia’s plans for a new offensive.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s national security and defence council, said: “Now they are preparing for maximum activation, and they believe that by the anniversary they should have some achievements.
“There is no secret that they are preparing for a new wave by February 24, as they themselves say.”
In recent weeks, fighting for the towns of Soledar and Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine has been the epicentre of the conflict.
The UK Ministry of Defence produced its latest intelligence update on Ukraine this week, reporting that fighting is also intensifying in the south.
DON’T MISS
Zelensky aide says Putin ‘not ready’ to use nuclear weapons
Russian mercenary claims deserters are shot and thrown into graves
Putin’s Ukraine mercenary tactics echo Stalin orders
The MoD tweeted: “In recent days, some of the most intense shelling in the conflict has likely taken place along the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine. This has included continued Russian shelling of Kherson city with artillery firing from the east of the river.
“On 29 January 2023, local authorities reported another three civilians killed in Kherson, while two foreign-owned ships moored on the river were damaged, causing an oil spill.
“Kherson remains the most consistently shelled large Ukrainian city outside of the Donbas. Russia’s precise rationale for expending its strained ammunition stocks here is unclear.
“However, commanders are likely partially aiming to degrade civilian morale and to deter any Ukrainian counter-attacks across the Dnipro River.”
Source: Read Full Article