Concerns are growing about the prospect of a major attack on February 24, as Russian forces entrench across the border in response to the arrival of tanks from the West to aid Ukrainian defense forces. The increase in the number of soldiers along the border may also imply that the Russian president fears a strong Ukrainian counterattack following the increase in the number of tanks they received from the West
Senior officials in Ukraine warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a “preemptive strike” to mark the anniversary of his invasion of their country. Satellite images show that Russian forces are building fortifications along the border with Ukraine from Luhansk to Donetsk and across Zaporizhia and Kherson.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, thinks this could be a sign that Putin is planning something big for February 24 – the date his troops crossed the border and began hostilities last year.
In an interview with the Ukrainian media, Danilov said: “Now they are preparing for maximum military action, and they believe that by the anniversary they should achieve some achievements. It is no secret that they are preparing for a new wave by February 24, as they themselves say.”
The increase in the number of soldiers along the border may also imply that the Russian president fears a strong Ukrainian counterattack following the increase in the number of tanks they received from the West.
According to reports, Putin is interested in testing the strength of Ukraine’s defense in Zaporizhia. Intelligence analyst Brady Afrik told The Daily Beast: “They are actually trying to consolidate their gains and keep the territory they have occupied so far. I think this is definitely also a message to the soldiers in Ukraine.”
In a statement from the National Security Council, it was said that the White House speculates that Putin will use the cold winter months to regroup and plan his next moves in the war. The European Union’s defense chief said Russia is now waging a “war against NATO and the West” after Canada became the 12th country to send tanks to bolster Ukraine’s war effort.
Stefano Sannino, the secretary general of the European Union’s external action, added that for Putin, it is time to look beyond his initial “special military operation” and move to another phase.