Kiev Anticipates New Russian Military Offensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of preparing for a new offensive as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate. In a recent address, he remarked that there are no indications from Russian President Vladimir Putin or his administration that they are considering an end to the war or are open to a diplomatic resolution. Instead, Zelensky pointed out numerous signs suggesting that new military operations are underway.

In the past few days, Ukraine has experienced record levels of drone attacks from Russia, prompting air raid alerts throughout the eastern and southern regions of the country. The Ukrainian Air Force has issued warnings via Telegram regarding potential strikes in areas such as Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and over the Black Sea toward the port city of Odessa. Reports from Ukrainian media indicate explosions in Sumy, which is located near the Russian border.

Between Saturday and Monday, Ukraine faced some of the most intense drone assaults since the beginning of the conflict. The details of the attacks on Tuesday morning remained unclear, though over the weekend, Russia launched significant drone and cruise missile strikes, marking the highest frequency of attacks recorded to date. Ukraine has been resisting a Russian invasion for more than three years.

According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the military situation remains tense at the front lines. The evening situation report noted 141 Russian offensives throughout the day, with more than a third--53 attacks--originating from the area around Pokrovsk. This city, which had a pre-war population of approximately 60,000, is considered strategically important and has been under continuous assault from Russian forces. Despite the severe destruction in Pokrovsk, Russian troops are reportedly struggling to make significant advancements.

Military analysts have expressed concern regarding the situation further north, where Russian forces have reportedly achieved a breakthrough between Pokrovsk and Toretsk, putting the city of Kostyantynivka at risk. This development brings Putin closer to his goal of complete control over the Donetsk region.

Moreover, experts have warned of a potential Russian offensive in northern Ukraine, particularly in the Sumy region, which may be targeted following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the western Russian region of Kursk. Recently, Putin reiterated his intention to establish a 30-kilometer buffer zone along the Ukrainian border.

Zelensky anticipates a Russian summer offensive, indicating that the actions of the Russian leadership demonstrate a disregard for those advocating for peace. This remark may have been directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, who has presented himself as a mediator for a peace solution since taking office.

The Ukrainian president characterized the recent large-scale attacks involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and over 900 drones as militarily pointless, arguing that they serve only to cause destruction. He has once again called for increased pressure on Moscow through additional sanctions.

Trump has also criticized the recent assaults, accusing Putin of acting irrationally and threatening sanctions. The Kremlin responded coolly, dismissing Trump's remarks as an 'emotional overload,' asserting that Putin is merely acting in accordance with Russia's security needs.

In Germany, criticism has arisen regarding the announcement made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to lift restrictions on the use of German weapons against Russian territory within the context of the Ukraine conflict. SPD foreign policy spokesperson Ralf Stegner labeled this move as 'unhelpful,' arguing that any actions that escalate the conflict are misguided and advocating for a stronger emphasis on diplomatic efforts.

The Kremlin also reacted to Merz's statements, labeling them as 'quite dangerous decisions' if they were implemented. Merz clarified that there would be no more restrictions on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine, indicating that Ukraine could now defend itself by targeting military positions within Russia, a capability previously restricted.