Reznikov Names the Likely Date of Russia's New Offensive: "Ukraine Needs More Weapons"

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov says that Russia may try to launch a new offensive operation against Ukraine around February 24th. He called on NATO countries to provide Ukraine with more weapons.

"We cannot lose the initiative... Taking in the account their love for symbols, we expect that they may try something around February 24," Reznikov said in an interview with the French channel BFMTV.

The Defense Minister suggested that the new offensive operation might start in Eastern or Southern part of the country. Reznikov noted that Ukraine did not underestimate its enemy, as Russia might have mobilized about half a million citizens.

"Officially, they disclosed the number of 300,000 new recruits, but according to our estimates there are much more troops deployed at our borders... We tell our partners that we must also be ready as soon as possible. That is why we need weapons to deter the enemy, because everything in war is decided by initiative," he said.

Reznikov also emphasized the need to quickly equip Ukraine with "air force assets" and called for the start of training Ukrainian pilots on operation of fighter jets that are likely to be supplied by allied countries.

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