Russia may escalate shelling in Ukraine and change attack targets to hit transportation infrastructure, logistics, and military depots, citing a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to analysts, threats by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu regarding alleged intentions of Russia to intensify its offensive campaign suggest that the occupiers may change the targets of their attacks.
"Russian forces are likely to intensify drone and missile strikes in the coming weeks to maximize damage to Ukrainian infrastructure and defense-industrial base before assistance arrives from the United States," analysts believe.
Furthermore, ISW suggests that Russian forces may escalate offensive operations in the coming weeks before military assistance from the United States reaches Ukraine.
"Shoigu's focus on Russian offensive operations near Chasove Yar, west of Avdiivka, as well as west and southwest of Donetsk, indicates that Russian forces are likely to intensify advances in these areas," the report states.
Analysts recalled the attack on transportation infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 19 and suggest that Russians may repeat and expand these strikes in the coming weeks to disrupt Ukrainian ground communication lines.
Frontline developments
Recently, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, stated that the situation in eastern Ukraine has worsened. According to him, Russians were ordered to capture Chasove Yar by May 9.
Ukrainian military personnel note that they control the situation in the town of Chasove Yar. However, the occupiers continue their assaults.
Shelling of Ukraine
Russia almost daily attacks Ukraine with drones and various types of missiles. The occupiers have once again targeted energy infrastructure, shelling substations and thermal power plants.
In the Air Force, it is noted that the most vulnerable to enemy attacks are the front-line regions and areas near the border with Russia. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also believe that Russians will intensify shelling of Ukraine.