Putin perceives West as very weak — British Colonel Grant

He expressed this opinion on the Espreso TV channel.

“The main Russian aim is to exhaust Ukraine and achieve a breakthrough, without a doubt. Putin perceives the West as being weak currently, providing him with a favorable opportunity to launch a strong attack. It's evident that if a side lacks sufficient ammunition and manpower, it becomes vulnerable to attacks as the adversary exploits its weakness,” Grant explained.

The colonel emphasized that the resources used by Ukraine to defend Avdiivka could have been better used on the front line.

“Ukrainians did not help themselves by holding onto their positions for as long as they did, particularly in places like Avdiivka. This decision has cost Ukraine dearly in terms of resources that could have been better utilized in a more strategically prepared position along a straight line. Holding a pocket like Avdiivka requires significantly more soldiers compared to defending a straight line,” he said.

“Russia will undoubtedly continue pushing and utilizing all available resources, especially with the upcoming elections in Moscow, where Putin needs to demonstrate success not just in one town but across the board to validate his entire battle plan,” Grant added.

“Hence, this is a critical juncture for both Ukraine and Russia,” he summed up.

• On February 28, the 3rd Assault Brigade pushed the Russian troops out of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region. The day before, the occupying Russian forces had attacked the southeastern part of the town and entered it.

• On February 29, The UK Ministry of Defense reported that the Russian forces are likely planning to increase the momentum of attacks in the Avdiivka sector due to the poorly protected positions of Ukrainian forces.