The warning was issued by Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov on Wednesday night, Britain’s The Independent newspaper reported.
Speaking in an interview with French broadcaster BMF TV, Reznikov said that Russia had many more new troops than the 300,000 the Kremlin said it had mobilised in September.
Reznikov said: “Officially they announced 300,000 but when we see the troops at the borders, according to our assessments it is much more.”
Ukrainian intelligence indicates that Russia has amassed nearly 500,000 troops for the attack, The Independent reported.
Reznikov said Moscow could “try something” on the eastern and southern fronts to mark the anniversary of the invasion on February 24.
However, he vowed that Ukrainian forces would move to “stabilise the front and prepare for a counter-offensive” ahead of the anticipated Russian advance, according to The Independent.
Reznikov said he had “faith that the year 2023 can be the year of military victory,” adding that the Ukrainian army “cannot lose the initiative” it had gained in previous months.
'Situation on eastern front is becoming more severe': Zelensky
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky warned: “There is a certain increase in the occupiers' offensive actions at the front – in the east of our country. The situation is becoming even more severe.”
Speaking in a video address to the nation on Wednesday night, Zelensky said: “The enemy is trying to gain at least something now to show on the anniversary of the invasion that Russia allegedly has some chances.”
He urged: “In such circumstances, we all need to be especially united, especially focused on the national interest, and, as a result, especially resilient. I am confident that we will stay like that.”
EU officials arrive in Kyiv in show of support for Ukraine
More than a dozen top European Union officials were set to arrive in Kyiv on Thursday, with pledges of more military, financial and political aid to Ukraine, Britain’s The Guardian newspaper reported.
It’s a symbolic visit designed to highlight support for Ukraine nearly a year after Russia’s invasion, according to officials.
On Thursday, top members of the EU’s executive European Commission were scheduled to meet with their counterparts in the Ukrainian government.
On Friday, the head of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the chairman of the 27 EU national leaders, Charles Michel, will be hosted by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, The Guardian reported.
Attack on block of flats in Kramatorsk kills three
Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike destroyed an apartment building and damaged seven more in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Wednesday night, killing at least three people, the Ukrainska Pravda website reported.
A further 18 people were injured, according to officials.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said in a statement: “As of 07:00, 2 February 2023, bodies of three killed people have been discovered after an attack. Two more people were saved from under the rubble. In total, 18 people were wounded, eight of them were taken to hospital," as quoted by Ukrainska Pravda.
Thursday is day 344 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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Source: The Independent, president.gov.ua, PAP, The Guardian, Ukrainska Pravda