Active defense and attacks on military targets in Crimea: military expert Zgurets on Ukraine’s new strategy

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"2024 will be a transitional year for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The Armed Forces will carry out active defense measures, accumulate reserves, restore new units, build new approaches to deter the enemy and prepare for offensive actions. However, the pace and scope of training will depend on cooperation with Western partners, as we are largely dependent on assistance in weapons and military equipment," Zgurets explained.

According to the military expert, Ukraine is forming a new, quite clear strategy.

"This is active defense plus strikes on military facilities in Crimea. The separation of Crimea as a combat element of Russia, so that the peninsula is not used as a foothold and as an opportunity to strengthen Russian recruitment in the south," Zgurets emphasized.

Additionally, the military expert noted the heightened involvement of Western partners, specifically Germany and France, in both weapon supply and the establishment of collaborative ventures

"In the coming days, the decision regarding American military assistance is to be unfrozen. Indeed, on the one hand, we are in a difficult stage, but on the other hand, the logic of our actions for the near future is already clear, so that in 2025 we can make qualitative changes on the contact line," Zgurets emphasized.

• Political analyst Oleksandr Antoniuk believes that as long as the war takes place exclusively on the territory of Ukraine, it will always be at a disadvantage.
• Valentyn Badrak, director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, noted that Ukraine has the capabilities and scientific base to produce its own weapons.