Vladimir Putin’s troops have been ordered to save ammunition “for a large-scale offensive” which could happen at any moment.
Ukrainian officials are warning the Putin is “throwing” new military units towards various frontlines as the Russian Army are preparing for the next phase of fighting as the anniversary of the war is fast approaching.
Ukrainian intelligence have confirmed that as many as 500,000 Russian troops which includes new recruits who have never seen war who have very limited training will be pushed to the front for the Spring offensive.
The troops are building up in eastern Ukraine regions such as the Donetsk and Luhansk and in Bakhmut and Vuhledar fierce fighting continues.
Life expectancy for Russian soldier is just ‘four hours’ amid ‘fierce battles for every street, every house, every stairwell’
The Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai thinks that sometime after the 25 February Ukrainian forces are expecting the Spring offensive to start “at any time.”
Haidai said, “We are seeing more and more [Russian] reserves being deployed in our direction, we are seeing more equipment being brought in.
“They bring ammunition that is used differently than before – it is not round-the-clock shelling anymore. They are slowly starting to save, getting ready for a full-scale offensive.
“It will most likely take them 10 days to gather reserves. After Feb. 15 we can expect [this offensive] at any time.”
Putin’s war cabinet are “rushing to launch the decisive offensive” due to the arrival of Western main battle tanks which will punch their way through Russian lines in the muddy season.
The Institute for the Study of War cited Igor Girkin, Russian military blogger who is a former Army officer, that Russia are in fact not prepared for Putin’s “rushed” Spring offensive.
Girkin said on Telegram that Putin’s new offensive could “turn out to be even worse” for a victory because Ukrainian forces are better trained, they have been provided with top spec kit and have for more sophisticated weaponry and intelligence.
The ISW have “highlighted that the Russian military command appears to be in a rush to launch the decisive offensive,” because they were wanting to undertake the offensive “ahead of the arrival of Western military aid and the muddy spring season in Ukraine around April that hindered Russian mechanized manoeuvres in spring 2022.”
