Russia may attempt multi-vector offensive in coming weeks, says Kirby
Kirby suggested that the coming weeks of the war in Ukraine will be critical (Photo:Leah Millis/Reuters)
The next few weeks of the war in Ukraine will be “critical" as Russia may attempt another offensive, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council John Kirby said on March 21, during an interview with CNN.
According to him, the offensive could begin "along many different vectors.”
"We have got to make sure that we are doing everything we can to make sure Ukraine is ready for that," the White House spokesman said.
Kirby added that Washington wants to make sure that Ukrainians are able to defend themselves against a renewed Russian offensive, but also have the ability to "conduct offensive operations of their own at a time and place and a size and a scale of their choosing.”
"That’s where we’re taking battalions out of Ukraine right now and putting them through combined arms maneuver training," he explained.
"That’s why they’re ramping up training on things like the Patriot air defense system. We’re doing everything we can to make sure that they’re ready as best they can be before these critical weeks and months ahead.”
In February, Russian invasion forces began to advance in a number of directions in eastern Ukraine, but got bogged down in the battle for the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.
In mid-March, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that the Russian offensive there had run out of steam, after suffering significant losses and an ammunition shortage. This has caused Russia’s offensive capability in that sector to lose significant capacity.
On Feb. 28, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that the next three months in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine would be very active and would determine the further course of events.
In an address the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing to conduct fresh maneuvers.
U.S. political news outlet Politico reported that the United States is focused on preparing Ukraine for a major spring counteroffensive to recapture its territories seized by Russia, which could begin in May.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
