How Putin will hit Ukraine with tanks and aircraft – the military explains the main scenarios of the invasion

The Washington Post and Bild published almost simultaneously “invasion maps” Russian army to Ukraine. As noted by the media, Russia plans to launch an offensive in early 2022, “but Putin has not made a decision yet”.

First step

According to the sources of journalists, including allegedly employees of Western intelligence services and the White House administration, the invasion will begin from the direction of Odessa, Crimea and Donbass and, first of all, Russian troops will try to take control of the southern part of Ukraine – to the border with Moldova and Romania. It will use landing ships that were transferred from the Baltic Sea to transport equipment and personnel from Crimea to Odessa.

At the same time, in the Kherson region, airborne special forces units will block bridges across the Dnieper. So that the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine could not recapture these objects, they will receive artillery fire from the Crimea.

Meanwhile, Russian tanks, supported by the navy and aviation, will move from the occupied Donbass towards Zaporozhye and Crimea.

Second phase

The second stage includes an attack on Poltava and the Dnieper from the Kharkov side with the aim of capturing all of eastern Ukraine on the left bank of the Dnieper. Free passage of tanks should be ensured by aerial bombardment and ballistic missile strikes.

Third stage

The third stage is a blow to Kiev. The attack can occur from the direction of Chernigov and Belarus. Subsequently, Russian troops will advance to the Korosten-Uman line to cut off the capital from Western Ukraine.

As the interlocutors of the publication note, the three stages can take place in turn, and each phase can be the last in the operation if the West makes concessions to the Kremlin. At the same time, it is possible that hostilities will begin simultaneously on all fronts.

Is a real invasion plan

Former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Igor Romanenko believes that the maps published by The Washington Post and Bild are rational and that this invasion plan is realistic.

“Everything was calculated absolutely correctly, taking into account the amount of weapons, equipment and military personnel that is observed on the border with Ukraine and the forces that the Russian army will still pull up”, – is talking “Today” Romanenko.

The general also notes that the maps are well-designed in terms of military strategy.

“For example, the fact that the Russian military will avoid urban battles, bypass large settlements and take them under siege, turning off the electricity and heating to residents, as well as blocking the supply of food. This is the right tactic.”- the general tells us.

According to Romanenko, today the Russian army has an advantage in weapons – more aircraft, tanks and missile systems. Despite this, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing to repel the attack and Russia will suffer serious losses.

Will Belarus take part in the invasion?

Igor Romanenko notes that, judging by the published maps, Belarus may participate in the third stage of the invasion of Ukraine.

“Probably, the territory of the Republic and airfields will be used by the Russian army to attack Ukraine. But it is also possible that Belarusian soldiers will participate in military clashes, due to which the Russian army will suffer fewer losses.”- says Romanenko.

However, in military expert Oleg Zhdanov I am sure that Belarus does not need a war with Ukraine.

“Ukrainian military and firefighters buy MAZ vehicles in the Republic. Belarus supplies us with meat and dairy products and fuel. The trade relationship will end completely. This will be a severe blow to the country’s economy.”, – explains “Today” Zhdanov.

There are inconsistencies in the plan

Zhdanov does not believe in the reality of the published “invasion cards”.

“There is no location of the strike group of military personnel on the map, there are no field hospitals for the wounded. There is no transport or warehouses with fuel, because tanks need to be refueled somewhere”, – notes Zhdanov.

The expert also considers the plan of the land operation doubtful.

“Judging by the map, the Russian troops will land right next to the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Getting under fire instantly is completely illogical. The offensive from the Crimea looks difficult to implement. There is a very narrow isthmus, it will not work to throw a large number of soldiers and equipment over it quickly and without losses.”, – says Zhdanov.

“Cards” may be stuffing

Military expert Igor Koziy also dubious about the realism of the published “kart”.

“I do not exclude that “invasion maps” Is the stuffing and misinformation of the Russian special services to create panic in Ukraine and in Western countries”- says the Goat.

Igor Koziy: “Maps may be FSB disinformation” / Photo: Facebook

Does Russia need a war

According to military experts, the war with Ukraine is not beneficial for Russia.

“Unleashing a war means destroying the image of a peacemaker that Putin has been trying to create for himself lately. No country will support Russia’s aggression, massive sanctions will be introduced against Moscow, and the issue of launching the Russian gas pipeline “Nord Stream 2″, which is currently frozen, may be postponed indefinitely”, – says Zhdanov.

He is also confident that there will be no real war between Russia and Ukraine.

“Now we see only an information war, which, perhaps, will decline. After the conversation Putin and Biden”, – summed up Zhdanov.

Previous site “Today” reported that the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov, had warned of a possible Russian invasion in early 2022. He also showed a map of a possible Russian offensive.

We also reported that according to the words Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikovthe likely period for the Russian invasion is the second half of January 2022.

We also informed that Bloomberg, citing American intelligence, reported that Russia is strengthening its military grouping in the occupied Crimea with new troops, which it began to transfer from November 15.