Russia is transferring a large number of troops to the south of Ukraine in preparation for a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the occupied territories, confirmed the deputy head of military intelligence of Ukraine, quoted by The Guardian.

If Russia won, it would try to seize more territory, Vadym Skibitsky believes. “They are building up troops, preparing for our counteroffensive (in the south of Ukraine – ed.) and, perhaps, preparing to go on their offensive. For them, the south is key, especially because of Crimea,” he said.

The movement of Russian troops was a response to Ukraine’s announced counteroffensive to liberate the occupied southern regions of Kherson Oblast and Zaporizhzhia.

Kyiv announced that recently Ukrainian troops liberated dozens of villages and towns along the border and are moving towards the regional capital of Kherson.

In his latest report, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that Russia is strengthening its position in the south, but has no chance of victory.

“Now the Russian army is trying to strengthen its positions in the occupied areas in the south of our country. A part of the Russian troops from the east is advancing to the south, to the Kherson region and the Zaporizhzhia region. But this will not help them. No Russian attack goes unanswered by us. The armed forces of Ukraine are ready to respond to any new activity of the occupiers. Strategically, Russia has no chance of winning the war. And we must resist so that even at the tactical level the terrorist state feels its defeat,” Zelenskyy said.