[Korrespondent] The enemy is actively accumulating forces for a large-scale attack on Ukraine, US officials tell reporters.
Against the backdrop of peace talks in Turkey, the Russian army is preparing a new offensive in Ukraine, foreign media outlets report, citing American officials.
Moreover, as the Defense Forces Command states, the enemy has already begun the summer campaign, hiding behind statements about negotiations. More details – later in the story.
ACCUMULATION OF FORCES
The Financial Times was the first to report on the possible offensive on May 13. Citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials, the outlet said Russia appeared to be preparing a major offensive, moving troops to key positions on the front.
The FT also cited data from OSINT community DeepState that Russian forces have seized more territory in the east of Donetsk this week, particularly around the cities of Pokrovsk and Toretsk, which are hotbeds of fighting.
CNN made a similar statement today . Two American officials familiar with the latest U.S. assessments told reporters that Russia is amassing forces on the front lines for a new offensive. Moscow's goal remains unchanged: to seize more Ukrainian territory. A broader attack is likely expected in eastern Ukraine, the media outlet notes.
"Putin will try to seize any land he can get, all the way to the outskirts of Kyiv. The Russians will do everything they can to get everything they can," the second U.S. official added in comments to the channel.
THE SITUATION ON THE FRONT LINES
The preparations come amid a serious shortage of Ukrainian troops on the battlefield. U.S. assessments suggest that Ukraine’s drone capabilities and the effectiveness of its minefields are a significant deterrent to Russia, despite its significant manpower advantage – both in eastern Ukraine and in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops still hold a foothold.
Russia is also facing difficulties in raising the necessary number of troops as both sides continue their war of attrition, CNN notes.
Additionally, the first official told CNN that there is no indication that North Korea is currently capable of significantly increasing its military presence in Ukraine after losing thousands of soldiers in the fighting.
However, for weeks, U.S. assessments have shown little change in Russia's military goals, which still include seizing most of Ukrainian territory, even as the Donald Trump administration calls on the Kremlin to agree to a 30-day cease-fire and begin meaningful peace talks.
START OF THE SUMMER OFFENSIVE
CNN previously reported that surveillance footage has shown Ukrainian forces for weeks that Russia is moving significant troops and equipment to positions just a few dozen kilometers from the front line.
The Kharkov task force also confirms this information. Moreover, the Russians are building up their forces, and the summer offensive campaign has actually already begun.
"The occupiers are currently building up their forces. In fact, the enemy's summer offensive operation has begun, so I would not count on a ceasefire in the near future," said Pavel Shamshin, a representative of the Kharkov operational-tactical group of troops, on the air of the telethon.
According to him, the situation is especially tense in the area of ​​the settlement Liptsy in the Kharkiv region. There, the Russians have launched an assault with armored vehicles, including tanks. Motorcycles and infantry are also attacking.
The situation is also difficult in the area of ​​the village of Dvurechnaya near the Oskol River: the occupiers are transferring infantry to the right bank. The Russian army has been tasked with expanding the bridgehead to Kupyansk from the north.
The Volchansk direction also remains hot, where assault operations take place daily.
The military man recalled that Moscow has never kept its promises to cease fire.
"I wouldn't go into detail about what they say on the other side. When we deal with Russians, we need to understand several things. Russians always lie in the public space. If they don't lie, they manipulate. If they don't manipulate, they're going to lie. We must perceive all their statements in this way," Shamshin explained.
The military man believes that simulating negotiations is a common tool of the invaders.
"Everyone saw the delegates they sent to the negotiations in Istanbul. They are some kind of no-names, and I don't think it's worth taking this seriously," Shamshin added.