Loomberg: Putin plans new offensive in February or March

This was reported by Vloomberg.

Nearly a year after a full-scale invasion that was supposed to last several weeks, Vladimir Putin is preparing a new offensive in Ukraine, while preparing his country for a conflict with the United States and its allies that he expects to last for years. According to people close to the Kremlin, the new offensive could begin as early as February or March.

The paper writes that even Putin cannot deny the weakness of his armed forces after his troops lost more than half of their initial successes in Ukraine, officials close to the Kremlin say. The repeated setbacks have made many in the Kremlin more realistic about their immediate ambitions, acknowledging that even holding the current front line would be an achievement.

A renewed offensive could begin as early as February or March, people close to the Kremlin say.

Putin himself is preparing Russia for a prolonged confrontation with Europe and the United States.

U.S. and European military officials fear the conflict could soon degenerate into World War I-style artillery battles with near-stagnant front lines, a scenario that could favour Russia with its large population and military industry.

Diplomatically, Russia has sought to garner support among non-Western countries by calling for ceasefire negotiations, but even people close to the Kremlin concede that this is currently hopeless, given Ukraine's demand for a Russian withdrawal as a condition of any deal.