Russia plans to fight in Ukraine until 2026, seeks to capture major cities — German intelligence
Russia is formulating a new medium-term war
plan, aiming to extend combat operations in Ukraine for another 36 months
and capture major cities, according to a Dec. 14 report by the German newspaper
BILD, which cites intelligence sources.
BILD writes that Russia's strategic goals by the end of 2024 include the complete occupation of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and parts of Kharkiv Oblast, extending to the Oskil River.
Russian forces then plan to conquer significant areas of the Zaporizhzhya, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv oblasts by the end of 2026, including the strategic cities of Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhya, the report says.
German intelligence reports show that there are no immediate plans for Russian advances toward Kherson or Odesa.
The Kremlin aspires to control territories on the left bank of the Dnipro River, positioning the river as a new front in the conflict.
Russia's military is reportedly willing to sustain casualties of up to 100,000 troops per year.
The report adds that Moscow counts on declining Western support for Ukraine and talks about "peace negotiations" to merely simulate a desire for peace. The Kremlin has no intentions for a truce, according to the report.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
