He said there are no signs that Russian dictator Vladimir
Putin is preparing to end the war against Ukraine.
“I will add separately that the Russians are practicing a
potential crossing of the Dnipro at training grounds,” he wrote.
Kovalenko also noted that the occupiers are now limiting
exemptions from mobilization for security forces and employees of Russia’s
defense industry, “leaving a large field for potential mobilization in the
future to cheaply replenish forces.”
“According to sociology, the decision is unpopular even in
Russia, but given that Putin does not want to lose the war and may manipulate
throughout 2025, plus the record budget for defense and propaganda, it seems
that the Kremlin is trying to deceive everyone and play a diplomatic ‘pause’ to
rebuild its strength,” he added.
Possible Russian offensive in Southern Ukraine
On Oct. 11, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces
Vladyslav Voloshyn stated that Russian forces had resumed assault actions in
the Dnipro region, and Ukrainian troops repelled 29 Russian attacks in Kherson
Oblast.
On Oct. 29, he said around 200,000 Russian troops were
stationed in southern Ukraine. He claimed that Russia had not yet formed
offensive groups.
However, on several sections of the front line, the
occupiers are forming additional groups to conduct small-scale infantry assault
operations.
On Oct. 27, DeepState analysts reported that Russian forces
had occupied the village of Levadne and advanced near Novodaryvka.
On Oct. 28, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces
Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that additional weapons and equipment would be sent
to the Zaporizhzhya front. Special attention would be given to preparations for
defensive actions during the fall-winter period.
On Nov. 9, Voloshyn said that Russian forces were actively
preparing for assault actions on certain sections of the front line in the
south.
On Dec. 4, it was reported that Russians were attempting to
consolidate their positions on islands near Kherson, having gathered 300 boats
to cross the Dnipro.