Skip to content
Edit post

Zaluzhnyi: Russia will try to capture Kyiv again, trains 200,000 new soldiers

by The Kyiv Independent news desk December 15, 2022 4:26 PM 1 min read
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lt Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi delivers a speech during the commemorative event for the Debaltseve defenders in Askold's Grave Park, Kyiv, on Feb. 19, 2022. (Yuliia Ovsiannikova / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight.

Become a member Support us just once

Russia is preparing for a new attack on Ukraine “as soon as January, but more likely in the spring,” seeking to push back Ukrainian forces and potentially making a second attempt to take Kyiv, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, told the Economist.

“The Russians are preparing some 200,000 fresh troops. I have no doubt they will have another go at Kyiv,” said Zaluzhnyi, adding that Russia has a reserve of 1.2-1.5 million people.

Russian military can launch a major offensive from Donbas in the east, from the south, or from Belarus in the north of Ukraine, according to the head of the Ukrainian army.

Zaluzhnyi said that Russia “can be fought, it must be fought today, here and now,” but Ukraine needs more resources for it.

He added that Ukraine’s Armed Forces have enough servicemen, but they need more weapons. To be able to liberate all territories occupied by Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, Ukraine will need 300 tanks, about 700 infantry fighting vehicles, and 500 howitzers, according to the commander-in-chief.

Russia started the offensive on Kyiv as soon as the all-out war began in February. Though many predicted that Kyiv would be captured within days, the city didn't fall. About a month later, Russian troops were forced to withdraw from the areas surrounding Kyiv and the rest of the north of Ukraine.

New phase in war opens up as Ukraine defeats Russia in battle of Kyiv
Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight.
Freedom can be costly. Both Ukraine and its journalists are paying a high price for their independence. Support independent journalism in its darkest hour. Support us for as little as $1, and it only takes a minute.
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

8:30 PM

Shmyhal, Duda meet in Warsaw.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Polish President Andrzej Duda on March 28, as part of his official visit to Warsaw.
7:38 PM

Zelensky, Speaker Johnson hold call.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson held a phone call on March 28, Zelensky announced on social media.
Ukraine Daily
News from Ukraine in your inbox
Ukraine news
Please, enter correct email address
4:50 PM

Ukraine, Poland ready to conclude agreement on joint border control.

In the document published following the talks, the parties "confirmed their readiness to conclude an Agreement on providing control at joint border checkpoints and cooperation of control bodies" and, once approved by the European Commission, "to launch logistical data exchange at selected road border crossing points."
11:16 AM

Kuleba begins first trip to India.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he was in the Indian capital New Delhi at the invitation of Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and that the two would "pay specific attention to the peace formula" in their talks.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.