General Andrey Mordvichev hinted at his president’s future plans
A top Russian commander has admitted that the war in Ukraine is ‘a stepping stone’ for the rest of eastern Europe.
General Andrey Mordvichev hinted at Vladimir Putin’s future plans to expand the frontline, setting off alarm bells in Poland, Moldova and Georgia, which have long feared such escalation.
In an interview recorded at the end of July, he suggested the invasion of Ukraine is ‘only the beginning’ of Russia’s imperialistic and military ambitions.
Mordvichev, who was promoted to commanding the Central Military District and Russian Central Grouping of Forces in Ukraine, was asked how long fighting will last.
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‘There is still plenty of time. It is pointless to talk about a specific period,’ he said.
‘If we are talking about Eastern Europe, which we will have to, of course then it will be longer.’
Putin has previously publicly lauded Mordvichev, indicating he may hold more of his favor than other military district commanders, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War.
It was suggested that the president likely awarded him a promotion as a reward for ‘loyalty and obedience’, rather than to recognise his ‘battlefield performance’.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russia’s president Vladimir Putin (Picture: Reuters)
Mordvichev also wrongly suggested that Ukraine’s counteroffensive will be over by the end of August.
Though progress has been slower than many had hoped since the it began in early June, Ukraine has made advances in key occupied areas.
Making further predictions, Mordvichev said: ‘Ukraine won’t accomplish much in the winter. By spring, I think it will be all over.
‘The question is that we will have to respond to their offensive at some point in time. We have to liberate our lands. It must be done and we will have to do it.’
His comments resurfaced as security experts warned that Putin is preparing to restock his military arsenal as part of an arms deal with North Korea.
A meeting between Kim Jong-un and his counterpart wrapped up on Wednesday, with the supreme leader vowing support for Russia’s ‘just fight’.
Ivan Stupak, a former officer for Ukraine’s Security Service, told Metro that Russia is after Soviet-era weapons to launch its own offensive in the east.
On the list are projectiles for BM-21 Grad, self-propelled 122mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union; shells for artillery and tanks; rounds for assault weapons and mortar mines.
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