Foreign Intelligence Chief: Russia’s battlefield plans unchanged—seizure of four Ukrainian regions and a buffer zone

Oleh Ivashchenko, Chief of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

When asked about Russia’s military objectives, Ivashchenko said: “Most Ukrainian experts would agree that these plans are nothing new, which is to win full control over the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. But they have no ability to execute their plan to full extent. They as well want to create what they refer to as ‘security zone’ on the territory of the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. However, they no longer have the same resources anymore. While previously they used to dream of a 30-kilometer-deep buffer zone, this has now reduced to 5-10 kilometer”.

Ivashchenko also dismissed claims that Ukrainian forces were being “pushed out” of border areas, stating that, in reality, Ukraine controls several positions on Russian soil, including in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.

Furthermore, he noted that Russia’s strategic objective remains unchanged—gaining full control over Ukraine.

“But a mere desire does not amount to the ability. They are exhausted - technologically, economically, and diplomatically. Basically, Russia's long-term goal is to establish control over the countries of the former Soviet Union,” Ivashchenko concluded.

As earlier reported, in mid-May, CNN, citing U.S. officials, reported that Russia was building up forces along the front line, potentially preparing for a new offensive to capture more territory in Ukraine.