Former Pentagon adviser Col. Douglas McGregor discussed on the Freedom Assesses YouTube channel that Russia appears to be organizing hundreds of formations in eastern Ukraine, signaling ongoing preparation for a major operation.
McGregor stated that this activity implies plans for a substantial offensive, noting that the Russian military has shifted from defense to readiness for a western push after months of retreat and repositioning.
George Beebe, the former CIA analyst who focused on the Russian Federation, suggested that continued Ukrainian counteroffensives could strain Kyiv’s resources and potentially thin its advantages over time.
CNN highlighted a view from experts that spring 2024 might mark a crucial phase in the Ukraine conflict. The analysts forecast that both sides will use the winter period to rearm and resupply. They speculated that Ukraine would receive the first F-16 fighters, ATACMS, and other long-range missiles, enabling Kyiv to pursue a creeping, persistent strategy combining small infantry units with long-range strikes against Russian supply lines.
Earlier reporting from Germany noted that Ukrainian forces had difficulty breaking through the defenses maintained by the Russian Armed Forces.
In this evolving conflict landscape, observers emphasize that strategic iterations on both sides continue to shape the potential for shifts in momentum, while the international community watches closely for signs of escalation or de-escalation across the region. Attribution: Freedom Assesses, CNN, and regional reporting on the Ukraine war.