Russia is massing forces along the front line in preparation for a new offensive aimed at seizing more Ukrainian territory. Vladimir Putin wants to take as much as he can during russian summer offensive.
Russian commanders “are seeking to build up large forces,” said a U.S. official, adding that the likely offensive will be aimed at capturing more territory in eastern Ukraine.
“Putin will try to grab any land he can get, even up to the outskirts of Kyiv,” said a second American official. “The Russians will go all out to take whatever they can.”
Situation on the front line
Preparations are underway amid a serious shortage of Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. U.S. assessments indicate that it is largely Ukraine’s drone capabilities and the effectiveness of its minefields that are holding Russia back, despite Moscow’s significant manpower advantage both in eastern Ukraine and in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces still maintain a foothold.
Russia also faces its own challenges in amassing the desired troop levels, as both sides continue a grueling and deadly war of attrition in eastern Ukraine, CNN notes.
Additionally, the first official told CNN that there are no signs North Korea is currently capable of significantly increasing its troop presence in Ukraine following the loss of thousands of its soldiers in combat.
However, for several weeks now, U.S. assessments have shown little change in Russia’s military objectives, which continue to include gaining control of more Ukrainian territory—despite the Trump administration urging the Kremlin to observe a 30-day ceasefire and begin meaningful peace negotiations.
Summer offensive
CNN previously reported that surveillance footage has for several weeks shown Ukrainian forces that Russia is moving significant troops and equipment to positions just a few dozen kilometers from the front line.
Ukrainian intelligence officials told the Financial Times that Russia is preparing for a large-scale offensive in Ukraine, rather than signaling any readiness for peace talks.
According to the Kharkiv Operational Tactical Group, Russian forces are building up, and the summer offensive campaign has effectively already begun.
As a reminder, Russian troops seized significant parts of Ukrainian territory and reached the outskirts of Kyiv in March 2022. However, they were later forced to retreat. Since then, military operations have been concentrated in eastern and southern Ukraine.
EMPR
