+9 Kyiv
It was planned that the terrorists will carry out a number of symbolic resonant provocations after the elections on November 2, that could be treated as an accusation against Ukraine of ceasefire violation and used for attacking strategic objects, the former head of the Service of Foreign Intelligence, General Nikolay Malomuzh is convinced. He said it in the comment for the " GORDON" .
"There will be attacks at the Donetsk airport, Debaltsevo, Pesky, Mariupol, Novoazovsk and further on the south down to the Crimea. An attempt against Zakharchenko is a reason for activation and, respectively, for making new blows. We expect local rather than global attacks in five directions today or tomorrow, beginning from Avdeevka. Most likely, in the next day or two," the general considers.
In his opinion, military operations will become more active with the coming of the new contingent.
"Now we estimate the enemy’s forces a total of about 130 tanks, about 280 armored personnel carriers, other equipment -and howitzers. Around 470-480 in total. The total contingent of approximately 32 000 people, there are 16 000 representatives of the Russian armed forces, special troops, and mercenaries and about 13-14 thousand different local groups, both organized and unorganized," Malomuzh said.
The general considers that the terrorists have already created informational prerequisites for carrying out an attack, having accused the Ukrainian authorities of the violation of Minsk accords and massive attacks. According to the general, a global approach is not expected so far, there will be a stage-by-stage expansion of the zone of conflict.
"The purpose is to expand the area of influence; it was what the heads of "DNR" and "LNR" declared first of all, they plan to seize our strategic objects in order to stir up our troops. After we start large-scale military operations, the Russian Federation will liven up and accuse us of open military aggression, which will give them a chance to attack the South, making their way to the Crimea. Zakharchenko confirmed yesterday and tonight that "we will after all go into the assault and make this corridor to the Crimea, we will begin with Mariupol," Malomuzh said.
According to the general, urgent counter-measures on the strategic objects and strengthening of the positions in five to six directions with heavy forces are required.
"It is necessary to send special troops from the center. We still have eight divisions. We must strengthen the ATO zone with new equipment as much as we can; we already have several hundred units of it available," Malomuzh reported.
