As Russian forces gather near the border, Ukraine issues a warning that a fresh offensive is about to begin.

 

UKRAINE: KYIV President Vladimir Putin is preparing a significant new onslaught, Kyiv is warning as the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches.

Ukrainian officials express concern that the Russian military, which has seen its ranks reinforced by hundreds of thousands of conscripts called up last fall, is reorganizing and preparing an impending onslaught intended to tip the balance of the battle in Moscow's favor.

The Kremlin is keen to retake the initiative after a grueling winter that was preceded by months of combat failures and domestic criticism. Western officials and analysts have long projected a spring onslaught.

Oleksii Reznikov, the defense minister for Ukraine, told French media on Wednesday that Russia had 500,000 soldiers prepared for an invasion in the next weeks—nearly twice as many as Putin had stated he was mobilizing.

"They officially announced 300,000, but based on our observations of the forces at the borders, it is far more," he claimed.

Although Ukrainian officials have been providing warnings, his statements provide the most thorough depiction of the threat that Kyiv believes is currently present.

Reznikov said that Russia will likely attack from the east or the south while in Paris to pressure the French government for weaponry.