Zelensky: Evidence Putin is preparing fresh offensive

Ukrainian president says Russia does not plan to end war’

- TOM WATLING

Russia is preparing to launch a new military offensive in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed, even as the Kremlin suggests it is still open to peace talks.

After days of unprecedented Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine, involving more than 900 missiles and drones, Mr Zelensky claimed Kyiv had obtained intelligence suggesting Moscow was on the brink of a new push.

“We can see from the information obtained by intelligence and from open-source data that Vladimir Putin and his entourage do not plan to end the war,” the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address on Monday. “There is currently no indication that they are seriously considering peace or diplomacy. On the contrary, there is ample evidence that they are preparing new offensive operations.”

Russian troops have increased their attacks in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region in recent weeks, targeting an area 30 miles long between the two cities of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, analysts tracking the front line have told The Independent.

Emil Kastehelmi, who runs the Black Bird Group, a Finnish open-source intelligence outfit that uses satellite imagery and social media to track the front line in Ukraine, says Russia’s rate of advance is the fastest it has been this year. “And it will likely grow during the summer, as Russians should have reserves for larger offensive actions,” he said.