Russia may resume offensive operations in Ukraine in the spring — White House
John Kirby (Photo:REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
Russia is using the current winter months to build up forces to resume offensive operations in Ukraine in the spring, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said during a briefing on Feb. 10.
When asked if he’s seeing any signs of a coming escalation from the Russian side, Kirby said: “What we see (…) is that the Russians continue to conduct offensive operations in the Donbas area. The fighting around Bakhmut remains pretty vicious, even as you and I are talking.”
Kirby said the invaders are currently trying to exhaust Ukrainian forces and at the same time restore their own forces, rearming them and replenishing the number of personnel.
Kirby also suggested that with improved weather conditions, “the fighting will probably get more vicious.” But the United States and other countries have increased military aid to Ukraine in recent weeks. In particular, this concerns the provision of more complex combat capabilities for fighting in open terrain.
“All of that is designed to help (Ukrainians) prepare for whatever the Russians might be planning in the spring,” Kirby added.
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