Ukrainian Defense Ministry: 'Russia Prepares for Attack in Late January or Early February'

Russia has amassed more than 92,000 soldiers near the borders with Ukraine. The Kremlin is preparing for an attack at the end of January or the beginning of February. This was stated by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR), in an interview with Military Times.

“Such an attack will likely involve airstrikes, artillery and armored assaults, followed by airborne assaults in the east, maritime attacks in Odesa and Mariupol, and a smaller incursion through neighboring Belarus,” he said.

According to Budanov, Russian military exercises, known as “West-2021,” have shown that Moscow can simultaneously deploy more than 3,500 airborne and special operations personnel.

“The impending attack by Russia will be far more destructive than anything seen since the conflict began in 2014, which has resulted in the deaths of around 14,000 Ukrainians,” Budanov stated.

He also noted that the Russian Federation is increasing the number of troops and weapons in Crimea and is moving Iskander short-range ballistic missile systems and other armaments closer to the border.

The head of HUR emphasized that severe winter weather conditions would not affect Russian plans. He added that the assessments of the timing of a Russian attack by U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence are very similar.