Russia may launch major offensive in early 2023 – FM Kuleba

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking to reporters from a bomb shelter in downtown Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to The Globe and Mail.

According to Kuleba, Russia has been unable to regain momentum after Ukrainian forces took back control of Kherson in November. But, Putin will insist on a breakthrough shortly.

“I think the Russian capability to conduct a large offensive may be restored somewhere by the end of January, February, but that is what they are trying to do. In the best-case scenario [for Russia], taking the mobilization, the conscription they have announced, and the training of new conscripts and the movement of heavy weapons across the country, they definitely still keep hopes that they will be able to break through our lines and advance deeper in Ukraine,” Kuleba told.

In his words, Ukraine’s immediate concern is restoring electricity across the country, following six missile attacks that had been launched by Russia since October 10, 2022.

“The aim [of Russia – Ed.] is to destroy the Ukrainian energy system and leave millions of people without access to power, water and heating amid freezing temperatures. Putin hopes that without power, water and heating, Ukrainians will stop resisting and accept Russian ultimatums, but this is a grave miscalculation. Russian missile terror will not break Ukraine down,” Kuleba stressed.

Kuleba called a Paris aid conference to raise emergency funds to get Ukraine through the winter a “huge success”.

Kuleba admitted that Ukraine is depleting its weapons stockpiles alarmingly fast as the missile and artillery assaults on both sides continue. He made a plea not only for long-range missiles but for the 155mm field artillery that is one of the mainstays of Ukraine’s ground forces for both defensive and offensive action.

“The weapon we need most is more of the 155mm howitzers. This war is largely an artillery war, and Russia still dominates on the battlefield on the amount of cannons it is using and the number of shells these cannons are firing,” Kuleba noted.

To help stop the expected Russian offensive in January or February, Ukraine needs the 155mm weapons to destroy Russian targets in occupied Ukrainian territories, Kuleba added.

Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry

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