Syrskyi: Russia May Be Preparing an Offensive on Chernihiv Region from Bryansk Region

Russia may be preparing an offensive into Ukraine’s Chernihiv region from Bryansk region in an effort to stretch the front line and tie down Ukraine’s defense reserves.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, made the statement in an interview with TSN.

According to Syrskyi, Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian General Staff to consider various offensive scenarios, including a potential operation launched from Belarus.

However, Syrskyi said he believes the regime of Alexander Lukashenko would not agree to such a scenario.

“We know that Putin has tasked the Russian General Staff with considering various offensive scenarios, including one launched from the territory of Belarus, with the aim of capturing Kyiv and seizing other territories,” the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated.

The Russian military command has developed several possible courses of action for the Russian army in this direction.

“How realistic they are – given recent events – I do not think the Belarusian leadership will dare to allow the aggressor to use its territory as a staging ground for launching an offensive operation,” Syrskyi said.

However, according to him, the Ukrainian military command is also taking this scenario into account.

Meanwhile, one of the most likely scenarios for which the Ukrainian Defense Forces are preparing is a Russian offensive launched from Russia’s Bryansk region.

“The most likely scenario, and this is supported by several indicators, is the possibility of offensive operations in the north originating from Russian territory, specifically from Bryansk region… Not toward Kyiv, but toward Chernihiv region,” Syrskyi said.

According to the Commander-in-Chief, by opening a new sector of active combat operations, Russia aims to divert part of Ukraine’s military forces away from the main strategic directions, including those where the Ukrainian Defense Forces are currently conducting active operations.

Previously, Syrskyi stated that, in light of the potential threat from Belarus, Ukraine needs to form new brigades to strengthen the defense of the northern direction.

In addition, the Commander-in-Chief announced that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will establish new unmanned systems units to defend the country’s northern border.