An expert revealed that Russia was poised to strike Ukraine in early January, but unforeseen factors intervened to prevent the attack.
The Russian army was prepared to launch another large-scale strike on Ukrainian territory. However, the Russians were thwarted.
This was stated in a comment to the RBK-Ukraine YouTube channel by aviation expert Konstantin Krivolap.
According to him, the strike on the oil depot in the Russian city of Engels impacted Russia's plans. Additionally, other targets within the Russian Federation were also hit.
"The Russians have been ready for a long time because they amassed a stockpile, and at least 9 aircraft were loaded with X-101 missiles by January 2. We know that the Russians have this capability. Interestingly, reports indicate that the number of 'Shaheds' has increased in recent days, but overall, if we look at the monthly statistics, they are currently falling behind the schedules they had in November and December," Krivolap noted.
He reminded that Russian X-101 missiles require visibility during flight, which is why the Russians do not launch them at night.
"They need to see something, and right now, the weather has not been conducive for flying—fog, haze, and other factors. Therefore, I believe that with improved visibility, the Russians will carry out strikes," the expert said.
Large-Scale Shelling of Ukraine
It is worth noting that since the beginning of last autumn, the Russian army has increased the number of shellings in Ukraine. Russia's primary target is Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
A significant strike was launched on December 25, with Russian occupiers targeting Ukrainian energy facilities since the start of the year. Additionally, Russia fired missiles at Ukraine on the eve of the New Year, yet the Russians continue their drone strikes.
According to military expert Alexey Hetman, the military is constantly monitoring signs of Russian preparations for a potential new strike on Ukraine. However, this does not necessarily mean that an attack will occur.