Ukraine and its Western allies have for weeks been predicting a major Russian attack in the near future – possibly in time for the anniversary of the war, or at least before Ukraine is reinforced with new and stronger tanks.
Russia is considered to have moved many forces towards front areas in the east. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian governor of partially occupied Luhansk, Serhiy Hajdaj, said that it is about tens of thousands of soldiers. He then said that the Russian offensive will be launched next week from three different directions.
But there are many indications that it has already started, albeit gradually, according to analysts at the US-based think tank Institute for the study of war (ISW).