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Russia wants to launch a spring-summer offensive and capture Donbas by September — Main Intelligence Directorate

Russia wants to launch a spring-summer offensive and capture Donbas by September — Main Intelligence Directorate

17 April 2026, 17:00

Russia wants to launch a spring-summer offensive and capture Donbas by September — Main Intelligence Directorate — The Russian spring-summer offensive

Russia wants to deploy a further 20,000 troops in Ukraine in order to prepare for a new spring-summer offensive in south-eastern Ukraine.

Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, made these remarks in an interview with the Financial Times.

According to Skibitsky, the increase in the number of Russian missile and drone attacks and the destruction of critical infrastructure are part of preparations for a spring-summer offensive in south-eastern Ukraine.

Furthermore, Russia also intends to deploy a further 20,000 troops in Ukraine, bringing the total to over 680,000. The Main Intelligence Directorate believes that Russia aims to capture the entire Donbas region by September 2026.

As a member of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation, Skibitsky points out that Russia is not taking peace talks seriously, but instead wants to continue the war.

In an interview, the deputy head of the GUR also stated that Russia is producing around 60 Iskander missiles per month, whilst Ukraine lacks air defence missiles, such as the Patriot, to protect the entire country from shelling.

As a reminder, it was previously reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack Europe as early as this spring.

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