Putin plans to occupy half of Ukraine as Kyiv sounds the alarm

Russia is preparing to seize half of Ukraine's territory by the end of next year, according to a newly released plan outlined by Ukrainian officials detailing potential Russian territorial expansion.

Colonel Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, made the remarks during a press briefing, which was quickly followed by a warning from Washington that a red line must not be crossed in any effort to reach a peace deal.

Palisa argued that Russia is aiming to gain full control of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions by September 1, before establishing a buffer zone along the Ukraine-Russia border.

"Russia’s plan for next year is to occupy the entire part of Ukraine situated on the left bank of the Dnieper River. They also plan to seize the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions in order to cut off Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea", he said.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), it is unlikely that Russian forces will be able to take all of the projected territory within the given timeframe—particularly if Western military aid to Ukraine continues.

On the U.S. side, officials are reportedly preparing a new round of economic sanctions aimed at further weakening Russia’s already strained economy, which has been under pressure for more than three years.

(QG - Source: Newsweek - Picture : © Unsplash)