Russia prepares new offensive: Expert names two key strike zones

As part of the spring-summer campaign, Russian forces will concentrate their main efforts on two priority sectors of the Ukrainian front. The occupiers aim to seize a massive urban hub in the Donetsk region at any cost while simultaneously ramping up pressure on Ukrainian defenders in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Vladyslav Selezniov, a military expert and former spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, outlined the enemy’s key objectives and their tactic of stretching Ukrainian reserves during an interview with Radio NV.

Attack on the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions

The expert noted that occupying major Ukrainian cities remains a top priority for the invaders. According to him, the seizure of this key Donetsk agglomeration was a primary reason behind Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

«It is clear the enemy has two key directions where it will focus its efforts during the spring-summer offensive. One is an attempt to attack and capture the territories surrounding the Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka urban agglomerations,» Selezniov said.

Additionally, he pointed to a threatening buildup of enemy troops in the south of the Zaporizhzhia region. The expert explained that continuous transfers of additional forces are being observed there, aimed at intensifying assaults and pressuring Ukrainian positions.

Tactic of stretching reserves

The military analyst says Russian forces are following last year’s playbook on other front sections. The occupiers are trying to artificially escalate the situation and launch attacks on secondary axes to divert attention and stretch Ukrainian strategic reserves.

He says the aim is to push Ukraine’s General Staff into flawed decisions on how to deploy forces on the battlefield.