Expert assesses likelihood of imminent massive Russian attacks on Ukraine

Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory continue, but in the near term the likelihood of massive strikes is low.

This was stated by former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2006–2010), General Ihor Romanenko, on Espreso TV.

He believes that the reason for the reduced threat of massive strikes is Russian president Vladimir Putin’s official trip to China. While he is abroad, large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine are unlikely to be carried out.

“Russia’s strikes should be distinguished, because at the front there is its own intensification of actions with the enemy trying to advance. We know that this includes the Pokrovsk direction and Kostyantynivka, as well as Novopillia, Dobropillia and Lyman. The enemy has also transferred its resources to the Zaporizhzhia direction. And regarding massive airstrikes, I think that at one time we were helped by visiting delegations on our ceremonial dates, so Putin did not dare to strike Kyiv,” the general noted.

According to Romanenko, Putin will not risk giving the order for a massive attack during his visit to China. However, low-intensity strikes with the use of hundreds of drones and several dozen missiles remain possible.

“The enemy will continue stockpiling missiles and drones. And on September 4, Putin’s participation in the events in China ends, and repeated massive strikes may occur. There is no hope that Trump will exert pressure on Putin with some promises, since we see that no such steps have been taken. Accordingly, for the near future, my forecasts on Russian strikes are precisely of this order,” he said.