Photo: Suspilne Broadcasting
Brigadier General Pavlo Palisa outlined additional Russian plans for this year.
Russia is seeking to create a buffer zone in Ukraine’s Vinnytsia region from the direction of the unrecognized Transnistria, said Palisa, deputy head of the Presidential Office, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine. He also explained where Russian forces are likely to focus their main efforts.
“Moreover, their plans now even include creating a buffer zone in the Vinnytsia region from the side of the unrecognized Transnistria. This is the first time we have recorded plans of this nature. Frankly speaking, there is no need to panic, as at this moment I do not see them having sufficient forces to implement all these intentions,” Palisa said.
He stressed that Russian forces constantly adjust their plans, including timelines. However, their main focus this year will remain on Donbas.
“Under favorable conditions, they will also expand and intensify efforts in the southern direction — particularly the Oleksandrivka area and the entire Zaporizhzhia axis,” he added.
According to the general, Russia has also not abandoned plans to establish buffer zones in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. In addition, it aims to create conditions for capturing the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and in the longer term — Mykolaiv and Odesa regions.
It is worth noting that in late 2025, Russia significantly increased its activity in Transnistria. Ukrainian intelligence reported at the time that Moscow was preparing a foothold for further escalation while attempting to divert Ukrainian resources to the southern front. In particular, large-scale mobilization measures were launched in the region, along with the production of strike drones and the establishment of training centers for operators.
