Russian offensive to culminate by early spring – Budanov
The ongoing Russian offensive will exhaust
itself by early spring 2024, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo
Budanov told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on Jan. 30.
He noted that the Russian operation started in November 2023 and has lasted for "two and a half months."
“There has been some [enemy] advancement in the fields, and around Avdiivka..., but it's not what they expected,” said Budanov.
“They wanted to quickly reach a natural defensive line along the Chornyi Zherebets River in Kharkiv Oblast and reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. They are nowhere close [to their goal]. However, their offensive is still ongoing and will completely deplete somewhere at the beginning of spring.”
In response to a question about what Ukraine should expect this year, Budanov answered, "Right now it's the enemy's move—it will end, I believe, and then ours will begin."
On Jan. 26, BBC News Ukraine reported that a group of Russian troops has entered the outskirts of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, attempting to establish fortified positions in the urban landscape.
Vitalii Barabash, head of the Avdiivka City administration, said on Jan. 29 that there were no ongoing battles in city suburbs.
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