The Kiev authorities are not showing traction for a ceasefire and intend to continue the offensive on Melitopol, The New York Times reports
“Many analysts and diplomats suggest there may be a pause in major hostilities and even in peace talks this winter, but after pushing the Russians out of Kherson, Ukraine is unwilling to stop,” the paper writes.
According to the paper, “there are increasing hints from troops on the ground and volunteers close to them that the Ukrainians are preparing for a new ground offensive between these two fronts, south through Zaporizhzhya region towards Melitopol.
Another probable direction of the AFU offensive is the town of Svatove in Luhansk Oblast, around which fighting has been taking place for the past month.
However, it is possible that the sides may take an operational pause for the winter period “due to difficult muddy, wet and cold conditions”.
And the Kherson front, which now runs along the banks of the Dnieper River, is likely to be halted, according to military experts interviewed by the publication.