Kyiv: Ukrainian officials and military analysts have warned that Russian forces are gearing up for a renewed offensive in the coming weeks, aiming to escalate pressure on Ukraine and bolster Moscow’s position in potential ceasefire negotiations.
The anticipated military push could prompt Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone peace talks in favor of securing additional territorial gains, Ukrainian officials stated. They reiterated claims that Moscow remains uninterested in meaningful negotiations to end the conflict.
As the spring fighting season approaches, analysts and military commanders report that the Kremlin is planning a multi-front assault along the 1,000-kilometer frontline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing intelligence reports, indicated that Russian forces are preparing new offensives in the northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions, as well as in Zaporizhzhia.
Overnight Attacks
Meanwhile, Russia launched a large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine, resulting in at least four deaths and 36 injuries, according to local authorities.
The attack on the eastern town of Dnipro left four people dead and wounded 21 others. The assault also ignited a massive fire in a restaurant complex, authorities reported.
Ukraine’s Air Force stated that Moscow launched 172 drone strikes, including decoy drones, between Friday and Saturday. Of these, 94 were intercepted, while 69 disappeared from radar, according to official statements.
Additional strikes were reported in the Sumy, Kherson, and Kharkiv regions, further exacerbating the security situation.
Intelligence Agreement with EU Countries
During a press briefing in Kyiv on Friday, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has secured agreements with several EU nations to enhance its intelligence capabilities, including access to “relevant technologies and satellites.”
While he did not specify which EU nations are involved, Zelenskyy confirmed that France and Britain would participate in an upcoming meeting in Ukraine, expected to take place “within the week.”
He stated, “France, Britain, and Ukraine will definitely be there.”
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Ukrainian Troops in Russia’s Bryansk Region
In the same statement, Zelenskyy confirmed the presence of Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Bryansk region, stating that Ukrainian forces had taken “appropriate measures” near Russia’s Kursk region to “thin out and disrupt” the concentration of Russian troops.
On Friday, Kyiv announced the repatriation of 909 fallen Ukrainian soldiers, marking the largest return of war casualties since the conflict began.
In a social media post, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated, “The bodies of 909 fallen defenders were returned to Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported via Telegram that Ukrainian forces targeted Russian energy infrastructure in attacks carried out between Friday and Saturday morning.
