Russian authorities are reportedly seeking to significantly extend buffer zones in northern Ukraine, with plans to include areas along the border with Belarus.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces aim to establish a continuous buffer zone that encompasses not only their own borders but also those of Belarus, affecting regions such as Chernihiv and Sumy. He noted that this development is not entirely unexpected.
In his remarks, Zelensky pointed out that there have been notable concentrations of Russian troops in other areas, particularly in the southern and Zaporizhzhia directions.
He emphasized that the primary objective remains the Pokrovsk direction, a city of strategic importance that Russian forces have long attempted to capture. For Ukraine, this location is crucial as it represents a key defensive line.
Additionally, it was recently reported by Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, that Russia is planning to establish a new buffer zone in the Vinnytsia region, adjacent to the unrecognized territory of Transnistria.
Russian intentions to expand buffer zones along the northern Ukrainian border, including areas adjacent to Belarus, have been confirmed by Ukrainian officials. This strategy highlights ongoing military objectives, particularly in the context of the Pokrovsk direction, which remains a focal point for both Russian and Ukrainian forces.