The Ukrainian government expects “maximum escalation” in the next two to three months in the conflict with Russia, as the Kremlin on Wednesday promised bonuses to Russian soldiers if they destroy NATO weapons.

The Western Alliance is discussing further support for Kyiv as the nearly year-long war enters a critical phase as the end of winter approaches. After announcing the dispatch of heavy tanks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for even more military assistance, from long-range missiles to fighter jets.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, told British broadcaster Sky News that he expects about half of the 320,000 people called up to Russia at the end of 2022 will take part in new Russian operations.

“I have a feeling that the main fights are still ahead and they will take place this year, in two or three months. These will be the decisive months of the war,” Danilov said. “Russia is preparing for maximum escalation. He collects everything he can, does exercises and workouts. The countries that help us in our fight have started sending us the maximum amount of help,” he continued.

The danger of NATO’s continued involvement in the armed conflict was reminded yesterday when Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that military personnel would be paid bonuses if they destroyed weapons systems sent to Ukraine from abroad.

“As for these tanks, we have already said that they will burn. Especially if there are such benefits, ”said the representative of the Russian president.

In addition, he reiterated that Russia doubts whether the latest nuclear disarmament treaty with the US, New START, will be extended, although he recalled that Moscow considers this extremely important.

“There is little to indicate that,” he said, according to the Russian news agency Interfax, when asked if he sees new negotiations to extend the agreement beyond 2026 on the horizon. “But we consider the continuation of this treaty very important,” he said. added.

Attack on Kramatorsk

At least two people were killed and seven injured when a Russian missile hit a residential building in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, local authorities said.

“Two hours ago, Russian occupying forces fired a rocket at a residential building in the city center,” said district governor Pavel Kirilenko.

AFP journalists saw two bodies where rescuers cleared rubble.

Zelenskiy, in his evening message, stressed that the war in eastern Ukraine is getting more and more violent, and acknowledged that the situation is getting “tougher”.

Source: RES-IPE