Leaders | War in Ukraine

A looming Russian offensive

Ukraine’s chiefs, in an unprecedented series of briefings, tell The Economist about the critical months that lie ahead

Russia is MASSING men and arms for a new offensive. As soon as January, but more likely in the spring, it could launch a big attack from Donbas in the east, from the south or even from Belarus, a puppet state in the north. Russian troops will aim to drive back Ukrainian forces and could even stage a second attempt to take Kyiv, the capital.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The winter war”

The winter war

From the December 17th 2022 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Leaders

Upside down warning signs with an exclamation mark in the shape of martini glasses

Health warnings about alcohol give only half the story

Enjoyment matters as well as risk

Marine recruits take part in a simualted combat situation in Parris Island, South Carolina

Pete Hegseth’s culture war will weaken America’s armed forces

Donald Trump’s nominee for defence risks driving away talent


The capitalist revolution Africa needs

The world’s poorest continent should embrace its least fashionable idea


Just because Indonesia has nickel, doesn’t mean it should make EVs

Economic nationalists are making a reckless bet

Donald the Deporter

Could a man who makes ugly promises of mass expulsion actually fix America’s immigration system?

Mark Zuckerberg’s U-turn on fact-checking is craven—but correct

Social-media platforms should not be in the business of defining truth