Russian war president Vladimir Putin (70) has declared a unilateral 36-hour ceasefire in connection with the Russian Orthodox Christmas. Kiev said Putin’s offer was “a cynical trap and an element of propaganda”. Meanwhile, Ukraine is preparing for the decisive phase of the war. “Right now, the war in Ukraine is at a critical point,” US President Joe Biden, 70, told reporters Thursday after a cabinet meeting at the White House. “We must do everything we can to help Ukrainians resist Russian aggression.”
The strategies of Ukraine and allies are being coordinated. The US, Germany and France send new weapons. Armored combat vehicles strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine. Kyrylo Budanov (36), intelligence chief of Kiev’s Defense Ministry, expects “fierce” fighting in March. Ukraine is planning a major counter-offensive in the spring. There could be further attacks “deeper and deeper” in Russia.
In an interview with the American broadcaster “ABC News”, Budanov was very confident. Ukraine expects to liberate even more areas in the coming months. The Russians were “finally defeated from Crimea to Donbas (…)”, according to Budanov.
Partisans increasingly active in Russia
Regarding recent attacks in Russia, Budanov would not confirm that Ukraine carried out drone strikes against Russian air bases. He can’t say anything about that until the war is over. He said about attacks in Crimea: “Crimea is Ukrainian territory. We can use any weapon on our territory.”
After more than ten months of war, Ukraine has recaptured about 40 percent of the territory Russia has occupied since the February 24 invasion. Budanov finds clear words about this Russia. There are different scenarios for the future. “One should not be afraid of the transformation of Russia” – words Budanov uses to indicate an expected regime change in the Kremlin.
A conversion in Moscow “will only bring benefits to the whole world”. Putin’s regime is “a joke,” says Budanov. “Russia is no longer a military threat to the world, it’s just a lie.” Opposition to the Kremlin boss is also increasing in his own country. Budanov’s military secret service reported on Telegram on Wednesday that partisans in Russia are increasingly disrupting military logistics with acts of sabotage. (kes)