Russia amassing forces for new offensive, eying Kyiv outskirts
Russia is gathering forces for a new offensive in Ukraine, potentially targeting eastern regions and the outskirts of Kyiv, CNN reported on May 15, citing two U.S. officials familiar with the frontline situation.
One U.S. official said that Russian military commanders aim to form a large troop grouping, with the likely offensive focused on capturing more territory in eastern Ukraine.
A second official said Russian President Vladimir Putin “will attempt to take whatever land he can get right up to the outskirts of Kyiv,” adding that Russian forces “are going to make every effort to get what they can,” according to CNN.
The United States assesses that Ukraine faces a manpower shortage, relying heavily on minefields and drones to counter Russia’s numerical advantage.
Russia also struggles to amass desired forces due to the ongoing war of attrition, and there are no signs North Korea can significantly increase its troop presence in Ukraine after losing thousands of soldiers, the first official noted.
Russia's preparations for a new offensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in late March that Russia was preparing an offensive in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.
On April 9, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told Ukrainian media that Russia had already begun this offensive, a claim later clarified by the General Staff as a factual observation, not a cause for panic.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported Russia’s Sumy offensive likely aims to create a “buffer zone” along the border and position artillery close enough to render Sumy unlivable for civilians.
On May 1, Defense Forces South spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn said Russian forces intensified efforts in Kherson Oblast’s Dnipro River islands, aiming to seize a bridgehead on Buhaz island and later cross to the west bank.
On May 4, Petro Andryushchenko, head of the Center for Occupation Studies, reported Russia was likely preparing a major Zaporizhzhya offensive, moving air defense systems and mine-clearing equipment through Mariupol. He later suggested the offensive could start within days.
Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office and ex-commander of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade, told Army TV on May 11 that Russia might attempt to breach defenses on Zaporizhzhya front and focus on reaching Donetsk and Luhansk oblast administrative borders.
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