Russia's military objectives concerning Ukraine persist, highlighting the Kremlin's ambition to either fully occupy the territory or impose conditions ensuring Ukraine becomes neutral or pro-Russian. This assertion was made by Vadim Skibitsky, the deputy chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR), during his remarks to RBK-Ukraine.
According to Skibitsky, the capabilities of the Russian armed forces remain formidable, with over 620,000 service members stationed on occupied territories and near the borders of Ukraine. "Their troop group is strong; they have continued reorganizing their forces and replenishing combat losses," he stated, signaling Russia's continuing military vigilance.
Skibitsky noted Russia's plans to escalate the production of drones, aiming for mass attacks on Ukrainian territory. Russian commanders intend to deploy about 500 drones concurrently by mid-year if their plans come to fruition. He explained, "The Russians are planning not only to increase the number of drones launched at once but also to expand the network of launch platforms for them."
These developments come alongside Russia's continued focus on specific Ukrainian targets, including military control systems, aviation infrastructure, energy and gas facilities, and defense production sites. Recently, there has been intensified Russian efforts to attack gas production and transportation systems, seeking to deprive Ukraine of its own resources.
Skibitsky underscored the change in Russian military tactics, stating they intend to carry out strikes more precisely to maximize impact. "They are planning strikes to cause the most damage possible," he remarked, shedding light on the challenging situation Ukraine faces amid the continued conflict.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov publicly criticized President Zelensky for allegedly not demonstrating a willingness for peace, asserting, "Someone must compel him" to seek reconciliation. Peskov's remarks came after what he labeled as "an unprecedented event": the dispute between Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump. This discord, he claimed, complicated the possibility of entering negotiations concerning Ukraine. "The conflict indicates how difficult it will be to find resolution around Ukraine, " he stated, echoing sentiments within the Kremlin about Kyiv's resistance to negotiate.
Russian media reported on how the tensions between Trump and Zelensky have catalyzed stronger European action, with independent news outlet Novaya Gazeta noting European leaders have increasingly sought to support Ukraine and act as intermediaries between Washington and Kyiv. Several summits have been held recently aimed at addressing the crisis of transatlantic partnerships, emphasizing Europe’s role as mediator as the U.S. appears to lessen its pressure on Russia.
Sir Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron have positioned themselves as key negotiators, ready to formulate proposals for the European plan to engage with the current complex triad of relations involving Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv. Both leaders appear committed to ensuring Ukraine adopts as strong a stance as possible moving toward peace talks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen articulated the necessity for EU countries to intensify their efforts to support Ukraine, expressing the vision of transforming Ukraine's defense capabilities. She remarked, "We want to make Ukraine something like an armored porcupine, so well-armed it becomes 'inedible' for potential aggressors." Yet, the challenge remains whether this coalition will go beyond just declarations made at summits or evolve to effectively address Europe's security chronic issues: indecisiveness and sluggishness.
A separate report from the Russian daily Kommersant highlighted how allies of Kyiv are reconstruing their coalition against Russia amid the widening rifts among Western allies. It explained, "Leaders convened to determine their strategy for the most serious conflict within the Western community since World War II." The rising divergence within the Western alliance juxtaposes Moscow's ever-closer position with Washington, pulling away from Brussels.
These events not only signal the urgency of the geopolitical stakes surrounding the Ukraine conflict but also exhibit how both military maneuvers and international diplomacy will shape the future of the region.