U.S. expects difficult weeks ahead for Ukraine, Putin wants to step up offensive

U.S. expects difficult weeks ahead for Ukraine, Putin wants to step up offensive

Ukrainian soldiers during shelling of Russian positions near Pakmut.Image by AFP

A recent analysis by Washington and military experts says months of Russian offensives are beginning to change Ukraine’s weather, with the cold now giving way to mild spring temperatures. The disadvantage for both armies is that it begins the muddy season, which makes large-scale military operations on unpaved roads very difficult.

“We know that President Putin is planning to strike again,” said John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council. “Now that the weather is improving, he is planning new offensive operations in several directions. We are trying to get Ukraine to defend itself and take offensive operations.’ The Ukrainian high command is planning a major offensive in the coming months, possibly in May.

The West and Kyiv last year assumed that the Russian military would launch a major offensive in the spring of 2023 to decide the war. However, in recent months, the Russians have already launched an offensive on various fronts, particularly in Bagmot.