Podolyak: Russia has intensified its offensive, but "in quantity, not quality"

Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, is confident that Russia is not capable of a new strong offensive. According to him, the Russian army is now "fighting with quantity, not quality."

"But today the Russian army is a slightly different army, they fight in numbers. Yes, they have the appropriate good weapons that they use," Podolyak said. "However, Russia is no longer in a position to organize such a large-scale offensive. Today they are actively trying to conduct offensive operations in the Donetsk sector. We see 60-80 combat clashes there. But Ukraine, after two years of war, understands exactly what to do and how to resist it."

According to him, Russia is currently gathering 40,000 troops for another offensive on Avdiivka.

In addition, Western media have previously reported that Russia is preparing another large-scale offensive on the territory of Ukraine. But Podolyak says that the Ukrainian military is calm about this information.

In order to destroy Russian reserves, Ukraine needs long-range missiles, he says. "It's obvious, because you can't fight quantitatively against a quantitatively built army. You cannot oppose Russia with quantity – you have to oppose the quality of military management decisions, the quality of high-precision weapons, the quality of decision-making as such," Podoliak said.

According to him, the Russian army has no changes in strategy and tactics, so Ukraine understands how Russia will continue to act.

"Yes, they are conducting certain concentrations, gathering additional forces. However, as far as our strategy and tactics are concerned, it is absolutely clear what Russia will do. Everything they do in terms of defensive, offensive actions, concentration, where they do it, etc."

Background. As a reminder, British intelligence reported "minor" successes of the Russian army.