Umerov: Russia wants to open a new front in the north and attract up to 300,000 more soldiers
Russia is preparing a grouping of up to 300,000 troops near the border with Ukraine.
At the same time, the first Western F-16 fighter jets will be delivered ‘very soon’, although about half of the much-needed foreign military aid is late.
This was stated by Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov in an interview with Reuters in Kyiv on Monday.
Russian offensive and manpower
According to the minister, Russia is moving more and more manpower and equipment to the frontline. And although the Ukrainian Defence Forces have managed to stabilise a new front in the northeast of Kharkiv region, Umerov said the Kremlin is preparing for a new offensive.
– ‘Their goal is to open a new front in the north to start using all their manpower and firepower against us, they continue to fulfil their task of destroying the nation,’ he said.
The minister added that Russia has about 500,000 troops on the territory of Ukraine, and wants to add another 200,000 to 300,000 troops near the Ukrainian border.
Even before Russian troops entered the northern part of Kharkiv region this month, seizing border villages and forcing thousands of civilians to flee, the Russians had been on the offensive in Donetsk region for several months.
– ‘Time is of the essence and we need to ensure that the supplies are delivered on time to repel the attacks,’ said Umerov.
Supply of weapons
According to the minister, Ukraine is holding out, ‘but, of course, we need more weapons, we need more firepower, we need long-range missiles to prevent them from entering our country.’
Umerov added that Ukraine is grateful for the military assistance and weapons supplied by its partners, but only half of the promised supplies arrive on time.
The minister also noted that he expects deliveries of F-16 fighter jets, ‘I hope very, very soon.
– ‘At this stage, we are focused on training… pilots, we are focused on infrastructure, we are focused on attracting operational and repair teams, we are working on modernising or attracting new platforms,’ he added.
According to him, Ukraine also continues to increase its own production of weapons and drones, as well as electronic warfare capabilities.
Mobilisation in Ukraine
According to Reuters, Ukraine is also ‘facing difficulties’ in recruiting the necessary number of soldiers to replenish and rotate tired and exhausted soldiers, some of whom have been fighting since February 2022.
According to Umerov, up to 1.2 million people have updated their data through the Reserve+ app. However, the minister did not say how many Ukrainians are planned to be drafted.
According to Reuters, without citing sources, military analysts estimate the number of Ukrainian military personnel, including security and law enforcement officers, at more than a million.
In the interview, Umerov reiterated that Kyiv is determined to liberate all of its territory to the internationally recognised 1991 borders, including Crimea.
But the main military task for the coming months will be to maintain defensive lines and suppress the enemy while strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities in the air, at sea and on land.
