Russian army once again thwarted Putin's dreams, Ukrainians conducted successful assault operations

Ukrainian military analyst Vasyl Pekhnio believes that Russia will fail to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions by January 20, 2025. He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Indeed, it would be logical for the Russians to attempt to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions by January 20. Specifically, to capture Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Velyka Novosilka, and Kurakhove, directing all efforts toward Pokrovsk and trying to seize the city before Trump’s inauguration. However, this scenario is entirely unrealistic. It’s important to understand that Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Velyka Novosilka serve as flanks for Pokrovsk. For the Russians, these are auxiliary directions for capturing Pokrovsk. Taking them by January 20, in my opinion, is simply impossible. Moreover, in recent days, Ukrainian units have conducted successful assault operations against the Russians in Chasiv Yar. A similar situation is observed south of Ivanivske towards Klishchiivka," explained Pekhnio.

The analyst noted that the situation in the Toretskdirection, particularly in Chasiv Yar, remains highly dynamic. However, breaking the resistance of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the near future is unlikely for Russian troops.

"In Toretsk, countermeasures by Ukrainian forces were also observed, although later there were reports of some Russian advances. Thus, the situation in these two settlements is indeed very dynamic. However, the likelihood of the Russians breaking the Ukrainian Defense Forces' resistance on these fronts is highly doubtful. As for the southern flank near Pokrovsk - Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka - the likelihood of the Russians capturing these settlements by January 20 is quite significant," he added.

Recently, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16 that Moscow aims to seize the entirety of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2025.

Speaking at a Defense Ministry meeting, Belousov reiterated Russia's commitment to achieving what hedescribed as the "goals announced by President Vladimir Putin in June."

"In 2025, Moscow plans to achieve victory in the war," he added. On June 14, Putin stated that Russia would agree to a ceasefire and peace talks only if Ukraine withdraws from the four Ukrainian oblasts and formally abandons its aspirations to join NATO.