Russia can attack unexpected targets in Ukraine

Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Oleksandr Pivnenko said on April 23 that in recent weeks, Russia has massively launched missile and drone attacks on Kharkov, the second largest city in Ukraine. However, he emphasized that Kiev is ready to prevent any attack by Moscow.

“We are ready. The enemy may give us unpleasant surprises. They will operate in areas we do not expect, but will not achieve their goals,” Mr. Oleksandr Pivnenko said.

According to him, in this summer’s offensive campaign, Russia will attack unexpected areas on the front line and continue to raid important infrastructure in Kharkov but cannot control this city.

“They will have to fight for many years to win Kharkov. Look at the cases of Bakhmut and Avdiivka and see how long it took them to gain control,” he said, warning Russia could lose thousands of soldiers in the effort attack Kharkov.

Ukrainian officials predict Russia will launch a large-scale attack in late spring or summer. Kiev also believes that Moscow seeks to control the strategic city of Chasiv Yar before May 9.

Mr. Pivnenko said that the Ukrainian army may encounter some difficulties, but Russian forces will not be able to achieve breakthrough advances.

“Probably, they only achieved 10-15% of the target, which would not be a strategic victory,” Mr. Pivnenko said.

Previously, Mr. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Agency, predicted that the country would face a difficult situation in mid-May and early June in the context of Russia’s increased attack intensity. labour.

“They are preparing for a comprehensive attack. We don’t want to say much about this, but the situation will be very difficult, from mid-May to early June,” he said.

Russia has gained a significant advantage in recent months as Western aid to Ukraine stalled. Kiev hopes to stop this momentum after the US House of Representatives passed a new aid package of nearly 61 billion USD for Ukraine. Western countries are also moving to increase aid to Kiev.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration announced earlier this week that Britain would provide the largest military aid package ever to Ukraine. The aid package includes 400 military vehicles, 4 million artillery shells, 60 boats, and 1,600 attack and air defense missiles.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russia will likely step up its attack before Ukraine can receive weapons from the West.

“Therefore, the situation on the front lines may continue to deteriorate during that time, especially if Russian forces increase their attacks to take advantage of the limited time before Ukraine receives new US aid,” the report said. New report from ISW analysis.

In another development, Newsweek quoted former head of the Russian Aerospace Agency Dmitry Rogozin, saying Russian forces in southern Ukraine are having to apply a new defense strategy to deal with drones. driving the new Ukrainian version of Baba Yaga.

According to military data, Baba Yaga is a 6-wing drone manufactured by Ukraine, with a flight speed of more than 80 km/h, maximum load of 15kg, and operating range of 10km. Equipped with a thermal imaging camera, this aircraft can detect and attack targets at night.