Putin has a month and a half to continue offensive in Donetsk, says Ukrainian ex-deputy minister

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“One of the reasons for the Kremlin's sluggish reaction to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in the Kursk region is that the most important thing for the Kremlin is the offensive in Donetsk region. We should not expect that large units will be withdrawn from this area to liberate the Kursk region. The Kremlin is well aware that there is a month and a half left to continue the offensive. In October, it will start to rain, and the offensive will become problematic. So, Putin has a month and a half to resolve the so-called Donetsk issue. I don't think that during this time any drastic actions will be taken against the Kursk region,” Tuka said.

According to the former Deputy Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine, the Russian propaganda environment is already discussing the need to announce total mobilization and involve conscripts in combat.

“This indicates that public opinion is preparing for such measures, and they will be implemented after the advance in the Donetsk sector becomes impossible,” suggested Tuka.

• Since the beginning of August 19, there have been 78 combat clashes between the two armies at the front. Russia keeps trying to attack the Pokrovsk direction.
• On August 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting at which the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported on the situation at the front and details of the operation in the Kursk region, Russia.