The Main Intelligence Directorate sees no signs of a ceasefire by the end of the year and warns of a difficult fall
Major General Vadym Skibitsky, Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, stated that Russia is not currently showing any willingness to agree to a truce, so a ceasefire should not be expected by the end of 2026. According to him, Ukraine must prepare for continued Russian attacks in the fall and winter, particularly strikes on critical infrastructure.
“Analysts at the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine conclude in their analysis that there are no signs on the battlefield indicating Russia’s readiness to cease fire and begin normal negotiations. Their plans are as follows, and this is what they are saying: by the end of this year, there will be no agreements and no peace treaty will be signed,” he said.
Skibitsky noted that Putin plans to complete the capture of the Donetsk region by the end of this year.
According to military intelligence, the Russians will continue to strike defense industry facilities, military installations, the energy sector, logistics systems, and gas stations. At the same time, the enemy is targeting not only military but also civilian facilities.
“In winter, our most vulnerable points are electricity and heating, so they may also come under attack. For example, not long ago, the Russians developed a drone designed to take out power lines. Its wings contain an explosive device capable of cutting through metal,” Skibitsky noted.
He also confirmed that the water supply system is under threat, as it is one of the critical infrastructure elements.
In addition, during the fall and winter, the gas transmission system and gas production in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions—which the enemy has already attacked in the past—may once again come under attack.
Skibitsky also noted that the aggressor has its sights set on bridges across the Dnipro River, as these are also critical infrastructure.
“Russian troops have recently been striking bridges in frontline regions—in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. They are systematically attacking critically important bridges in Zatoka and Mayaky, which are vital components of our transportation system. When a facility becomes the most critical for us—that’s when the enemy begins to target it,” he emphasized in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Over the course of August 17, Russian troops attacked 59 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, killing two people and wounding four others. Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, reported on the consequences of the Russian strikes.
As a reminder, air defense systems were activated in the Kyiv region due to a Russian attack.
Earlier, Ukraine officially designated the long-range “Dovbush T40” UAV.
Video: An oil refinery caught fire in Orsk following the attack.
Earlier, the General Staff confirmed a strike on the TANECO oil refinery in Tatarstan.
