Which new cities might the Russian army advance on: Expert predicts threats

The Russian army is launching a new offensive, with the main direction being the Sumy region. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference in Ankara on May 15.

“They (the Russians — Ed.) are working to recover and regroup. They want to carry out this offensive… It’s clear to us. Our military describes it as the Russian forces being in a constant offensive. This has been going on for several months,” the Ukrainian leader added.

Despite Ukraine’s efforts in Turkey to move closer to establishing peace, the war between Russia and Ukraine will likely continue in the summer and intensify in certain directions.

Vladyslav Seleznyov, a former spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and military analyst, expressed this opinion in a comment to TSN.ua.

“The war in the summer will look like this: active use by the enemy of mopeds, motorcycles, and unarmored adapted vehicles, as well as drones and artillery. Enemy missile and drone attacks aimed at destroying our economic potential will continue. I believe the enemy’s efforts will be focused on these aspects. Given the transparency of the battlefield, the active use of armored vehicles will be rare,” Seleznyov suggests.

He continues: “For the enemy, it is critically important to fully occupy Donetsk region. Accordingly, the Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk-Kramatorsk directions, Lyman, Chasiv Yar, and Toretsk will be hot spots. The enemy might push or even enter Dnipropetrovsk region, but these will be tactical episodes that won’t significantly impact the overall picture.”

Situation at the border

Regarding the border situation, Seleznyov says: “Should we expect a lull at our border? With the forces it is currently deploying, the enemy will push into Sumy region, and there may be some activity in Chernihiv region. Fighting in Kharkiv region is unlikely to subside.”

Putin’s global goal

According to the analyst, the Russian dictator has a overarching objective.

“If we talk about strategy, Putin considers it vital to destroy Ukraine as a state, to fully absorb it and physically eliminate Ukrainians. Putin believes that through the use of military force, he can achieve his geopolitical plans,” Seleznyov says.

He suggests that the Kremlin leader’s plans are as follows: “In the first stage, official recognition of the territories included in the Russian constitution, followed by the implementation of a plan to capture southern Ukraine — Mykolaiv and Odesa regions. Then, left-bank Ukraine, and further, as far as his strength and capabilities allow.”

Resources are no longer the same

According to Seleznyov, on the fourth year of the full-scale invasion, the enemy will increasingly face a mechanized crisis.

“The enemy is already experiencing a crisis with armored vehicles. Otherwise, they would continue to stubbornly and blindly use them on the battlefield. The use of motorcycles may indicate this shortage. The enemy is focused on moving as quickly as possible,” Seleznyov says.

In summary, he adds that Putin hopes to force Ukraine to make concessions through all available means of influence.