Russia’s missile strikes on Ukraine are intensifying as part
of a broader Kremlin plan to destroy critical infrastructure ahead of a renewed
spring–summer
offensive, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) said.
HUR deputy chief Vadym Skibitskyi told the Financial Times on April 16 that Russia is preparing a new ground offensive in southeastern Ukraine and plans to “dip into its strategic reserve to add 20,000 fresh troops.”
Skibitskyi said HUR estimates Russia currently fields about 680,000 troops in its occupying army and that the Kremlin aims to capture the entire Donbas by September 2026.
He is part of the Ukrainian delegation to the trilateral
Ukraine–U.S.–Russia talks. Skibitskyi said Moscow’s planning shows it is not
taking the negotiations seriously and instead intends to continue the war.