Ukraine’s moves in Russia’s Belgorod aim to establish buffer zone — NGU Reserve Major

Reserve Major of the National Guard of Ukraine and veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Oleksiy Hetman, shared the information on Espreso TV.

"During the Belgorod operation, approximately 13 square kilometers of territory are considered a gray zone. Ukrainian Su-27s, supported by Mirage and F-16 aircraft, have conducted or continue to conduct bombings of bridges located behind Russian forces in the Belgorod region. These actions complicate Russia’s ability to retreat or maintain effective logistics. The focus is on preventing crossings over rivers by heavy equipment. The destruction of bridges in a similar manner marked the beginning of the Kursk operation, which led to significant successes," he reported.

The operation is significant and likely an attempt to establish another sanitary or buffer zone deep within Russia, says the reserve major of the National Guard.

"This creates an opportunity for counterattacks on our part, anticipating offensive actions from the Russians, which, according to the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief, are planned for the spring of this year and could last between six and nine months. These intentions have been known," he noted.

According to intelligence sources, the primary directions of Russia's offensive could target Ukraine’s border regions of Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. This information is supported by aerial photography, satellite images, and testimonies from assault units operating within the Russian armed forces, Hetman noted.

"Large-scale offensive operations typically occur simultaneously in two or three directions, sometimes in four, as a larger number disperses forces and reduces the concentration of the strike. Therefore, the Russian leadership's statements about a full-scale offensive along the entire front line are questionable, given the lack of necessary forces and resources," he added.

• Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, in cooperation with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Rocket Forces and Artillery, destroyed two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters in the Belgorod region of Russia.