Russia Plans Five Scenarios to Expand War Through Northern Ukraine

The Russian leadership has developed five scenarios for expanding the war in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the General Staff had conducted a detailed analysis of available intelligence data.

“We are preparing responses for each possible option of the enemy’s actions if the Russians really dare to expand their aggression. Our forces in this direction will be increased,” the Head of State reported.

The President also instructed Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare additional diplomatic measures targeting Belarus, which Russia could use to expand the war.

In addition, Ukrainian intelligence services have been assigned relevant classified tasks.

Zelensky also shared that Ukraine is preparing to expand the use of long-range capabilities across Russian territory.

The General Staff also took note of information on Russia’s preparations for new mobilization measures. The Russian army seeks to recruit 100,000 people. Ukraine believes that, as of now, Russia lacks sufficient capacity for covert mobilization on this scale.

“Ukraine will definitely defend itself. And our task now is to strengthen the state so that none of the five Russian scenarios for expanding the war through northern Ukraine will succeed. Thank you to everyone who helps,” Zelensky said.

Possible Russian offensive from Belarus

In his recent interview with Militarnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Russia could conduct offensive operations from Belarus.

“There is a trend toward an expansion of the front line. You know the latest intelligence data and the statements of our president, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, regarding the threat from Belarus and possible operations in the north. This is real,” he said.

According to Syrskyi, the Russian General Staff is “currently actively planning offensive operations from the north,” which could further extend the front line.

On May 18, Belarus and Russia launched drills involving the use of nuclear weapons.