Havrilov estimated that the possibility of a nuclear attack by Russia is small, but even this will not prevent his country’s troops from fighting, he stressed
Ukrainian forces “could be in Crimea until the end of December,” estimates the country’s deputy defense minister. Volodymyr Havrilov and underlined that o war with Russia could end by spring.
In an interview with Sky News, Havrilov said Ukrainian troops would continue to fight through the winter despite harsh conditions and freezing temperatures. Asked if the recent recapture of Kherson could lead to other recaptures like Crimea, he said: “It’s only a matter of time and, of course, we would like to do it sooner rather than later. An unexpected event inside Russia, such as the sudden collapse of Putin’s regime, could allow Ukraine to take back Crimea by the end of the year,” Hvrilov pointed out, adding: “Ukrainian troops could ‘step into Crimea” until the end of December, he said, adding that the scenario is “possible” and “not out of the question”.
When asked what these unexpected difficulties might be, he claimed that the Russian leader could, for example, “disappear for some reason” and so could “someone in his circle”. “Something to happen, or maybe a combination of intense frustration from society, in terms of its losses.”
Havrilov believes the likelihood of a nuclear attack by Russia is small, but even that won’t stop his country’s troops from fighting, adding:
“Yes, it would be a drama. For everyone it will be simple – God knows what scenario – but this [ένα ενδεχόμενο πυρηνικό χτύπημα] it is not a threat that will stop us from … continuing our war.”
As the war could come to an end, Havrilov said it is important to be prepared for a long battle if Russia reinforces it. “Of course, in that case, the war will take some time. But my feeling is that by the end of spring, this war will be over.”
He added that peace talks with Moscow could only take place if Russian troops were prepared to “leave every centimeter of Ukraine”, including the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014.
“There is a decision within society in Ukraine that we are going all the way. It doesn’t matter what kind of scenario is on the table. People have paid with a lot of blood and a lot of effort for what we have already achieved. And everyone knows that any delay or frozen conflict is only the continuation of this war against the existence of Ukraine as a nation,” he concluded.
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