Source: Ukrinform
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Deputy Head of the Military Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, said intelligence could detect signs of mobilization in advance, as it is practically impossible to hide large-scale mobilization measures under current conditions.
Past experience of the Russian army is also taken into account. A partial mobilization in Russia began in the second half of October 2022, and by December some prepared units had already reached the front. Units that could take part in combat were ready by January 2023.
In the event of a new wave of mobilization, Russia could theoretically be capable of forming a powerful strike force by February next year. “So it cannot be ruled out that the Russian military leadership could launch such an operation in February, given Putin’s fondness for symbolic dates,” Skibitskyi said.
He noted that currently neither the required troop strength nor other signs of Russia’s readiness for a renewed offensive in the Kyiv or Chernihiv regions have been detected.
