Espreso. Global
Exclusive

Russia's mobilization of 300,000 soldiers by fall will be major challenge for Ukraine - expert

3 June, 2024 Monday
17:45

Military expert Petro Chernyk addressed the question whether Ukraine should expect large-scale attacks by the Russian army in the summer and what else is on the table

client/title.list_title

He said this on Espreso TV.

"Russia has begun a large-scale deployment of the North military grouping near the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, but I don't think they will be able to build up this grouping very quickly. Why? Because in May we set an absolute record for the destruction of the enemy in manpower, almost 39,000, the previous record was in December, almost 29,000. So, somewhere around 10,000 plus is a very colossal result, and I believe that at this moment the Moscow elites are not ready to go for a comprehensive mobilization, because they need to sign off that the "special military operation" has stalled, and there can be very, very different things between the elites, Prigozhin has tested Putin's strength," Chernyk explained.

According to the expert, the fighting will continue with the same results throughout the summer.

"Will there be a change?" If they manage to build up 300,000 by the fall, plus (I emphasize) the half million they have, it will be a very serious challenge for us. This group is equipped as follows: up to 400 tanks, up to 1,000 artillery pieces, and up to 1,500 armored personnel carriers, which is 50-60% at the moment. Again, the Russians still have a lot of old Soviet junk in their warehouses, but they will not be able to provide them with full-fledged new equipment. If by the fall they reach at least 70-80% of the equipment and personnel, it will be a great success for them," the Armed Forces colonel emphasized.

Chernyk points out that Russia does not give up hope of reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk region, so it presents each captured square meter as a victory. To do this, Russia must accumulate a reserve, but the expert does not see such preparations yet: "We need a 100,000-strong corps to really break through to a depth of 30-40 kilometers.”

  • On May 10, Defense Express CEO Serhiy Zgurets mentioned the formation of the North group, where the new 44th Corps was deployed, and a certain accumulation of forces was taking place.
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
5 February
17:55
Russian conscripts sent to Ukraine frontline despite Kremlin’s promises
17:30
Ukraine-U.S. cooperation goes beyond natural resources for mutual benefit — FM Sybiha
17:12
Italy's Bologna hosts protest against Russian disinformation, propaganda
16:50
Ukraine frees 150 defenders from Russian captivity
16:29
OPINION
Trump and Ukraine's rare earth metals
16:07
Exclusive
Ukraine lacks rare earth elements, Trump refers to other minerals — expert
15:50
Company news
How Oschadbank's mobile branch works: the case of Sumy region
15:48
Russia open to talks with Zelenskyy despite not recognizing his legitimacy — Peskov
15:31
Russia’s 'new' Krona-E air defense system: old tech in fresh package
15:10
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 29 – February 5
January 29–February 5 live war map: Ukrainian troops stabilize frontline, battle for every meter near Pokrovsk
15:00
OPINION
Ukraine needs elections, but war makes them impossible
14:43
21 Russian servicemen surrender to Ukrainian forces in Kursk region
14:26
UK Foreign Secretary Lammy visits Kyiv, announces $68M aid package for Ukraine
14:08
Exclusive
Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi risks halting energy security project without USAID funding — deputy mayor
13:50
OPINION
Does Trump have plan?
13:29
IAEA halts mission rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant over Russian security risks
13:12
Putin only wants Ukraine’s next president to be anti-West — Zelenskyy
13:00
Updated
Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s Izyum kills 5, injures 59
12:56
Ukraine's Defense Ministry deploys robotic units in military brigades
12:48
Updated
Ukrainian forces target oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, fire breaks out
12:37
Exclusive
Ukraine targets 30 Russian facilities in January — military expert Zgurets
12:15
OPINION
Exchanging Ukraine’s rare earth metals for U.S. military aid is solid deal. Column by Vitaly Portnikov
11:54
Russian conscription fails to offset battlefield losses — ISW
11:32
Review
Ukraine’s military reform: key goals, objectives. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
11:09
Ukrainian forces repel 35 Russian attacks near Pokrovsk, 12 in Kursk region on Feb. 4
10:31
Exclusive
Russia likely increases Shahed drone warhead to 90kg — Kharkiv official
10:13
Over 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia — Zelenskyy
09:55
Russia loses 1,140 soldiers, 52 artillery systems, 9 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
4 February
21:45
Gimli robotic complex joins Ukraine's army, aiding in evacuation and resupply
21:30
Exclusive
When could Ukraine hold elections after the war? Lawyer explains
21:12
Ryanair plans to resume flights to Lviv, Kyiv 4-6 weeks after war ends
20:57
Black Sea tankers wreck: IMO holds Russia responsible
20:40
"Don't let them drain resources": military commander reacts to Trump
20:23
Polish Military Institute of Armament Technology, Ukrainian NAUDI agree to cooperate
20:07
Exclusive
USAID funding freeze: Expert Riabtsev on potential risks for Ukraine’s energy sector
19:51
Exclusive
Trump's proposal to get rare metals from Ukraine is political move – analyst
19:35
"We are open to U.S. investments": Zelenskyy responds to Trump's statement on rare earth elements
19:08
Ukraine to introduce mandatory psychological aid training for doctors – First Lady
18:50
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces may have to withdraw from Chasiv Yar – military analyst
18:33
Von der Leyen urges EU to find "most creative way" to use Russian assets for Ukraine
More news