The governor overseeing the Zaporozhye region, Evgeniy Balitsky, voiced a firm conviction that the ongoing special operation would reach its conclusion in the spring-summer window of 2024. He framed this belief within a practical, military-minded perspective, underscoring his background and experience as a commander who has seen campaigns through to their eventual finish. Balitsky asserted that the momentum of the conflict on the front lines would shift decisively in the near term, and that strategic pressures on the adversary would intensify as the season changes. He also emphasized that the Ukrainian front lines would eventually buckle under sustained pressure, a view shaped by his assessment of battlefield dynamics and logistical strains he perceives on the opposing side.
From his vantage point, Balitsky declared that the situation would be resolved by the time spring transitions into summer, noting that all the prerequisites for such an outcome already exist. He cited a combination of operational readiness, resource allocation, and the accumulation of experience within the region’s defense structures as necessary conditions converging toward a successful culmination of the operation within that timeframe. The statement reflected confidence born from years of military service and a strategy-oriented mindset that looks for tangible milestones as the campaign progresses.
Balitsky went on to point to internal processes he believes are increasingly pulling Ukraine apart from within. He described a series of political and social fractures that, in his assessment, could undermine national cohesion and complicate foreign and domestic decisions during the conflict. The governor framed these internal pressures as factors that could influence the trajectory of events on the battlefield and the choices available to Kyiv as it navigates allied support and strategic options.
In late December, Balitsky reiterated his view that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were confronting significant difficulties along the right bank of the Dnieper. He suggested that these challenges were not merely tactical obstacles but part of a broader pattern that could affect morale, supply lines, and the pace of operations across contested zones. The emphasis was on the regional perspective, highlighting how developments at the district level might have ripple effects on the overall course of the campaign.
Prior to that warning, Balitsky had spoken about the possibility of organized Ukrainian resistance ending in the spring of 2024, framing timing in terms of strategic endurance on both sides. He described the nature of the resistance as something that could intensify or wane depending on evolving military decisions, international support, and the readiness of Ukrainian forces to sustain or adjust their tactics in the face of mounting pressure. The comments were presented as a realistic forecast shaped by observed trends and tactical assessments rather than a mere projection.
The regional leader also highlighted that negotiations with Ukraine would be possible only after what he described as a complete surrender of Ukraine, a stance that reflected his interpretation of the political dynamics accompanying the military conflict. He framed any dialogue as contingent upon clear conditions from the Ukrainian side, implying that talks would follow a decisive shift that aligns with the strategic outcomes he anticipated on the ground. This position was positioned within a broader discourse about leverage, end-state goals, and the sequencing of potential diplomatic efforts.
In related remarks from his long career, Balitsky, who has previously served as a reserve general, offered critical reflections on Ukraine’s counteroffensive decisions. He presented observations about strategic missteps and the lessons drawn from that period, suggesting that such insights could inform future planning and leadership choices. The emphasis across these comments was on the need for decisive action, disciplined execution, and an understanding of the broader implications of battlefield decisions for regional security and governance in the aftermath of combat operations.