President Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing to launch a new attack campaign against Smy and Kharkov, two border provinces in northeastern Ukraine.
In today’s published interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin “trying to buy time through a ceasefire” to launch a new attack campaign in the spring.
“We found signs of the opponent preparing for the new campaign and shared intelligence with allies. The goal is Smy and Kharkov province, where Russia is targeted 8 months ago but was prevented by Ukraine’s campaign in Kursk,” he said.
The Russian fire artillery fired in Kursk province on March 4. Image: Ria Novosti
President Zelensky claimed Ukraine wanted peace and criticized Russia to refuse dialogue. “Every time we prove the desire to be peaceful, Russia does the opposite, which shows that the Kremlin has no goodwill to end the conflict,” he said.
Also in the interview, Ukrainian president rejected the statement that the country was going through the most difficult period since the outbreak. He emphasized that the first month of the conflict was the most difficult period, when Ukraine “stood in front of the verge of losing everything”.
“Now we are stronger than before. The army is better equipped, with an air defense capacity and well -trained brigade,” he said, but also admitted that Russia has achieved “unpredictable steps” on the battlefield for the past year.
Russian officials have not commented on information.
The position of fighting (red), and the Russian regions controlled in Sinh and Kharkov provinces. Graphic: RBC
The Russian military has continuously ambushed the enemy position in Sumy province, because this is the gathering of troops and logistics centers for Ukraine’s campaign in Kursk province.
The Navy Brigade attacked the 810 Russian bodyguard in February, crossing the border and entering Sumy province, which was given to cut the supply route for the Ukrainian forces in Kursk right from the opponent’s territory. This was the first attack on the Russian army into SMY since withdrawing from the province in April 2022.
Moscow in May 2024 launched a campaign against the north of Kharkov and controlled about 3% of the province’s area. The Russian forces in January suddenly broke through, crossed the Oskol strategic river and won many areas, increasing the pressure on the Kupyansk logistics cities.