Russia’s autumn-winter onslaught: Ukraine’s General Staff chief reveals enemy plans

The Russian army continues to seek control over all territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, so in the coming months it will focus its main efforts on two frontline directions — Pokrovsk and Dobropillia. This was shared by General Staff chief Major General Andriy Hnatov in an interview with Ukrinform.

What’s the current situation on the front?

According to Hnatov, the situation along the line of contact remains challenging. Russian occupiers are actively assaulting Ukrainian positions, holding a five- to sixfold advantage in personnel and equipment. «The enemy is conducting offensive actions along the entire contact line on thirteen main operational directions, with an average intensity of 160-190 assaults per day,» the major general noted.

The most tense situation is observed in eastern Ukraine. There, Russian forces have a significant advantage and, using aviation, artillery, and kamikaze drones, are carrying out a high-intensity offensive. The enemy is trying to capture Chasiv Yar and Toretsk, create conditions for encircling Kostyantynivka, and envelop the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration.

«It’s worth noting that the enemy is currently trying to widely use infiltration tactics with small groups into the rear areas of our troops, followed by their accumulation and development of an offensive in our rear,» Hnatov emphasized.

Ukrainian Forces’ response

At the same time, Ukraine’s Defense Forces, under favorable conditions, are conducting assault actions to restore lost positions, as well as detecting and destroying Russian invaders' sabotage groups in the rear. «Overall, despite significant losses in personnel, weapons, and military equipment, the enemy is not abandoning its offensive actions. The development of events on the main direction, that is, Pokrovsk, will determine the nature of the enemy’s actions on other directions, including Zaporizhzhia,» the General Staff chief remarked.

The course of combat operations, he added, will also be influenced by the weather: due to precipitation, terrain passability will significantly decrease, complicating troop maneuverability.

Russia’s Offensive Goals

According to Hnatov, there is a high likelihood that Russia will persist in executing its offensive operations.

«The goal they stated, recall, was phrased as the full „liberation“ of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. That is, from our point of view, this will be an attempt to reach the administrative borders of precisely Donetsk and Luhansk regions and fully occupy the entire territory,» he explained. Thus, in the near term, Pokrovsk and Dobropillia will remain the primary axes of Russia’s offensive.