Russia will go on offensive in second half of 2024 - military expert Kovalenko

He expressed this opinion on the Espreso TV channel

"If we talk about the capabilities of the Russian occupation forces, then in 2024 they really plan to go on the offensive. Probably in the second half of the year. What we can see today near Chasiv Yar is not the peak of their offensive capabilities. They are planning at least two offensives in the second half of 2024 - on Chasiv Yar and Kupyansk. A secondary target will be the line from Marinka to Vuhledar. They will also try to advance in the Zaporizhzhia region. In particular, in the area of Robotyne," Kovalenko said.

The expert also explained that Russian forces are now trying to create a security buffer for their troops near Ivanivske.

"Today, Russian forces near Chasiv Yar are trying to create conditions for a major offensive. In particular, the capture of Ivanivske, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriivka. This is especially true for Klishchiivka and Andriivka, because in this way they are trying to create a security buffer for their southern flank from Ivanivske," he added.

• On March 28, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia could launch a new offensive in Ukraine in late May or June this year.
• On March 30, retired National Guard Major Oleksiy Hetman, a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, suggested that the Russian offensive could begin in April, with Russia needing a maximum of a week to move troops.