Russia ramps up war plans as west greenlights Ukraine strikes

After Donald Trump's victory, it seemed the situation in Ukraine might lead to a "crooked" truce. Unfortunately, according to plans revealed by the Wall Street Journal, Russia would retain its gains. The problem, however, is that Vladimir Putin apparently has no desire to cease his aggression towards his neighbor.

Moreover, the situation is escalating, as media reports indicate that U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to attack targets in Russia with American long-range missiles. Following his lead, the United Kingdom and France have also permitted Kyiv to use their missiles to strike targets on enemy territory. The Kremlin announced it would respond. But even without this development, it seems that Russia plans to capture more cities in the coming months.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shared information from Mikhail Zvinchuk, a Russian blogger who runs the Rybar channel on Telegram. He previously worked as a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense. According to ISW, he may be privy to the Kremlin's military plans for the coming months. In one of the interviews, the blogger discussed Putin's intentions for the winter of 2024/2025.

As reported, the Russians are expected to focus on battles for major cities, such as Pokrovsk, Toretsk, or Kurakhove. They aim to mitigate Ukrainian drone attacks in open areas and preserve their armored vehicles in this way. Putin's regime spares no expense in one aspect—human life. It is possible, therefore, that we will witness "meat attacks," sending a massive number of soldiers into battle regardless of human losses.

According to Zvinchuk, Putin's forces are preparing attacks on Pokrovsk from the south. It is a very important logistical center, with some referring to Pokrovsk as the "gateway to capturing Donbas." Its loss would certainly pose a problem for Kyiv. Russians are also advancing in cities like Chasiv Yar or Kupiansk. ISW assesses that capturing them could threaten the main defensive positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.