The information published by the German newspaper Bild about Russia's plans to occupy new Ukrainian territories in 2024-2026 is in line with other data obtained.
Source. This was reported in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
"The ISW cannot independently confirm the accuracy of Bild's reports, but Russia's announced plans for a war in Ukraine by 2026 are consistent with Russian preparations for a long war," the report of December 15 said.
According to the report, Russia's military command is conducting a long-term restructuring and expanding efforts to build strategic reserves, and Russia is gradually mobilizing its defense industrial base for a prolonged war.
"Medium- and long-term plans to occupy territory beyond the four illegally annexed territories reported by Russia are also plausible, given that Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have recently returned to expansionist rhetoric and Russian troops continue offensive operations to expand their positions in the Kharkiv region. According to recent ISW estimates, a sudden cessation of Western aid would sooner or later lead to a collapse of Ukraine's ability to deter Russian forces, and Russian troops could eventually reach Ukraine's western border in such a scenario," the analysts said.
According to Bild, published on December 14, Russia plans to capture most of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Kharkiv regions, including Kharkiv, if possible, in 2025 and 2026.
Background. The day before, ISW warned that if the West stops supporting Kyiv, Russia will conquer all of Ukraine and open military bases near NATO countries.