Next Six To Nine Months Could Be A Turning Point In War, Says Top Ukrainian Commander
Next Six To Nine Months Could Be A Turning Point In War, Says Top Ukrainian Commander Published By, Last Updated: May 27, 2026, 15:50 IST
Next Six To Nine Months Could Be A Turning Point In War, Says Top Ukrainian Commander Published By, Last Updated: May 27, 2026, 15:50 IST Ukraine Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky says Russian Army is exhausted, and Ukraine has a critical six to nine month window to gain battlefield initiative. 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Ukrainian servicemen of the Black Raven battalion ride in vehicles along a road covered with a net to protect vehicles from drone attacks at an undisclosed location. (Image: AFP) After four years of war with Russia, Ukraine may have six to nine months of window to seize the battlefield initiative from Moscow and strengthen its hand for peace talks as the Russian army is exhausted. In an interview with Reuters, Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, who commands Ukraine’s Third Army Corps, said he believes Russian army is exhausted and incapable of making major breakthroughs.
“If Ukraine’s military can build and maintain momentum over several months, it can gain the initiative along the frontline and push Russia to abandon its designs on the last part of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine that it does not yet occupy," he said. “I believe the next six to nine months are a turning point," Biletsky said from an undisclosed underground location in the northeastern Kharkiv region. “More precisely, I think the next six are the most critical." According to Reuters, the issue of who controls Donetsk has been a stumbling block in US-backed peace talks that have stalled, with Russia wanting the entire region and Ukraine refusing to withdraw from territory that Moscow’s troops have been unable to conquer. “We need to define those directions where we can improve our positions, take some strategic points, and then speak with the Russians from a position of strength – not weakness – about a truly stable truce," Biletsky said while adding that “From a military point of view, this is realistic." The remarks were made even as Russia during the weekend signalled an even bigger escalation against Kyiv by launching waves of drones and missiles.
Besides, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a major debt relief scheme for people joining the army to fight in Ukraine, offering waivers of up to Rs 1.34 crore for new recruits and their spouses. Moscow has warned that it plans to intensify strikes on the Ukrainian capital, including attacks targeting what it described as Kyiv’s “decision-making centres", while also urging foreign diplomats and citizens to leave the city immediately. “Under the current circumstances, the Russian Armed Forces are starting to launch systematic strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities in Kyiv," Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “The strikes will target both decision-making centres and command posts. We are warning foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organisations, to leave the city as soon as possible," it added. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: May 27, 2026, 15:41 IST News world Next Six To Nine Months Could Be A Turning Point In War, Says Top Ukrainian Commander Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.
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