He shared his opinions on Espreso TV’s “Verdict with Serhiy Rudenko.”
"Russian troops are trying to use the time they have left, which is a few weeks, to fulfill Putin's political order to occupy Donetsk and Luhansk regions. That is why they are throwing such huge human resources and manpower into the fire. For Russian generals, the main thing is to fulfill Putin's order. That is why they are trying to break through the Ukrainian defense and surround Bakhmut with hysterical, frantic attacks," Samus noted.
The military expert also added that Russian troops are shelling Kramatorsk, striking across Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Sumy regions. All of this demonstrates the frenzied nature of Russia’s actions, which does not count any losses and is trying to create conditions to fulfill Putin's tasks.
"But the Ukrainian command clearly understands how the enemy is trying to achieve this. Where are the strengths of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and where are the enemy's weaknesses. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are destroying the enemy's power, allowing the Armed Forces to prepare for a counteroffensive," Samus emphasized.
The commander of the Ukrainian Eastern group of troops, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that the defense of Bakhmut is necessary to accumulate reserves and launch a spring counteroffensive, which is "just around the corner."
In Kupiansk and Lyman directions, Russian troops are trying to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops. However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are destroying Russian manpower and have repelled more than a hundred attacks in 5 directions.