Speaking to Ukrainian news agency RBC-Ukraine, Skibitskyi highlighted that Ukraine's defense forces detected and neutralized Russia’s preparations for major attacks on two fronts before they could take place.
“We identified and disrupted the enemy’s preparations for large-scale offensive actions on at least two axes that were set to take place between late 2024 and early 2025,” he said.
Pokrovsk under pressure: Russia eyes further advances
Donetsk Oblast, particularly the Pokrovsk sector, remains a primary target for Russian forces.
From there, Russian troops aimed to push toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk — a strategic advance that was ultimately foiled.
However, he warned that despite the setback, Russia continues regrouping and training, signaling an intent to carry out these operations in the future.
“Exposing their plans does not mean Russia has abandoned them entirely,” Skibitskyi stressed.
Earlier, Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia operational-strategic group, reported that Russian forces were stuck near Pokrovsk, showing signs of exhaustion and depletion.