A second wave of war is expected in Ukraine. Russia may try to mobilize more people, said the Chief of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence Jānis Sārts in an interview to LTV programme Šodienas jautājums on Tuesday, the 20th of December.
«It is important to keep in mind that Russia’s mobilised troops are poorly armed and poorly trained. As long as we are able to limit supplies of western technologies to Russia, there is hope for the war to end,» said Sārts, adding that it is highly important to pay attention to make sure no technologies that allow Russia to produce new arms are supplied to the country. He allowed that
Russia’s offensive may start again next January if 200 000 previously mobilised troops complete their training.
«We can see Ukraine fighting bravely and wisely, but we and Ukraine are fighting a numerically superior opponent. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has no plans to stop, and he has three trump cards: first of all, Russia has more people and more arms, even though of poorer quality; secondly, Russia can attack all sides of Ukraine; thirdly, Russia has nuclear arms,» Sārts told the programme.
He predicts «next year Russia will reap what it sowed». At the same time, he said the west should be careful with time estimates and observations of the situation in Russia.
«One of the topics in which I was wrong is the way Russia’s society would react to the war. Russian residents accept mobilisation knowing this could result in their deaths. In the context of ending the war and it’s end, it is important to consider how long Russian residents can last like this and how long Putin will be able to continue this war until residents’ patience finally snaps. Once it does, the war will end,» said the chief of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.
At the same time, he said that concerns about the Baltic region’s security will remain even after the end of the war in Ukraine.
Also read: Kyiv: Russia is planning a massive attack at the beginning of the new year