72 hours to potential danger: Experts warn of possible major Russian army attacks

The end of this week, specifically May 8 and 9, could be highly turbulent for both Ukraine and Russia. This opinion was expressed by military experts Oleh Zhdanov and Roman Svitan in comments to TSN.ua, considering the current situation and Moscow’s plans to safely conduct its military parade.

“I think the shelling will continue. I can assume that Russia might carry out a massive strike on the night before May 9 to prevent us from responding. Or this strike could happen on May 8,” Zhdanov speculated.

At the same time, the expert does not rule out that this year, May 9 could be restless in Moscow as well. He pointed to a statement by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who reported that four drones were shot down near Moscow on the night of May 5.

“From a military and political perspective, sowing panic among participants who would fear going out to Red Square would be a political victory. Whether a drone hits or not is a secondary question,” Zhdanov said.

He also does not exclude the possibility that May 9 could pass relatively quietly in both Ukraine and Russia.

“If May 9 is calm, then the attack on Ukraine is most likely to occur either on May 8 or May 10. May 8 — to intimidate us as much as possible; May 10 — to demonstrate that they are continuing active combat operations. But I lean more toward the idea that the night before May 9 could be turbulent. Putin might seek revenge because Ukraine did not agree to his (short-term — Ed.) ceasefire,” the military analyst suggested.

Russia benefits from any pause

Meanwhile, another military expert, Roman Svitan, expressed his view: “Right now, the Russian army needs an operational pause; the enemy is planning an offensive in the summer, and there will be an increase in intensity along the frontline. The enemy wants to bring forces and resources to the frontline. Therefore, giving the Russian army a pause is foolish; a pause benefits the army that is advancing.”

According to Svitan, in the coming days, a legitimate military target could be the concentration of troops and equipment planned for the parade in Moscow.

In Svitan’s opinion, the enemy has already prepared equipment and weapons for an attack on Ukraine, and the strike could occur regardless of whether Ukraine attacks Russia in the near future.

“The attack is on hold. As soon as they decide, they can carry it out,” Svitan said.