In early January, the head of the Ukrainian secret service, Kyrylo Budanov, announced a counter-offensive in the ongoing military operations in eastern Ukraine. Now his deputy confirms these plans – and is causing a stir with a new announcement.
For the planned offensive to succeed, attacks on Russian territory are also possible, Wadym Skibitsky said in an interview with the Funke media group. “It is possible that we will also destroy weapons depots or military equipment on Russian territory, for example around the city of Belgorod,” said the deputy intelligence chief. Attacks on Ukraine would be launched from Belgorod. “It’s about a threat to Kharkiv.” The city in eastern Ukraine has been repeatedly the scene of violent fighting for months.
The aim of the counter-offensive is clear. They want to “liberate all occupied territories of Ukraine”. This also applies to the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia. “We will not stop until our country is back at the 1991 borders,” Skibitsky said. For this they want to drive a wedge in the Russian front in the south between Crimea and the Russian mainland.
Renewed demand for fighter jets
When exactly the counter-offensive will start depends on several factors, the deputy chief of the intelligence service explains. But spring is planned. “First of all, it depends on the preparation of our soldiers. Then it depends on the Western supply of weapons such as tanks, armored vehicles, missiles and ammunition – and on the training of our soldiers in Western countries.” Last but not least, the morale of the Russian soldiers also plays a role.
As part of Western support, fighter jets are also important for a successful counter-offensive. According to Skibitsky, talks are already underway about a possible delivery of jets. “Today Russia has 430 fighter jets and 370 helicopters stationed in Crimea and near the border with Ukraine. To take them out, we need fighter jets,” he said. The demand for fighter jets is not new. Recently, however, the US, among others, has provisionally ruled out the supply of fighter jets.
Further mobilization in Russia?
Russia is also negotiating arms supplies. The Kremlin demands, among other things, Iranian medium-range missiles. Negotiations are also underway with China. “According to our information, Russia currently has no arms and ammunition from China,” the deputy intelligence chief said. Russia is currently lagging behind in the production of new weapons, ammunition and artillery. That’s a big weakness.
Skibitsky also considers it likely that Russia will mobilize again. “If Russia suffers huge losses, there will be another great wave of mobilization.” By September, the Kremlin had already mobilized more than 300,000 people. Due to the large losses at the front, however, fears of a new wave of mobilization have been growing in Russia for some time now. According to the deputy chief of intelligence, Ukrainian records indicate that there are currently some 370,000 Russian soldiers in Ukraine. These figures cannot be independently verified. (zis)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
