Not just the capture of Donbas: What goals has Russia set on the front lines before Trump's inauguration?

On December 19, during the "Direct Line" event, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russian military forces are allegedly moving towards fulfilling priority tasks outlined at the beginning of the so-called "special military operation."

According to him, Russia claims it will push Ukrainian fighters out of the Kursk region, and the occupiers are supposedly not only stabilizing the situation on the front but also making active advances.

Russia's Goals During the War: Does the Enemy Have Successes?

"Incorporating the occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions into the Russian Federation does not resolve the issue of full control over these territories. Putin is well aware of this. Furthermore, this incorporation was enacted by a decree on September 30, 2022, meaning that as of today, December 2024, no military-political objectives presented during the so-called 'SMO' have been achieved," said Dmitry Snegirev.

He noted that other primary objectives set by Russia at the outset of the invasion have also not been met. Therefore, the statements made by the President of Russia are merely political declarations aimed at the Russian public, which is demanding specific information from the leadership regarding a war that has been ongoing for several years.

"Instead of fulfilling the military aspects of the plans for the so-called 'SMO', the war has been transferred onto Russian territory, which represents a personal, informational, political, and military defeat for Putin," the analyst stated.

Political scientist Oleg Posternak asserted that Putin's statement is propagandistic, aimed at the Russian audience, which is "under the narcotic influence of the magical phrase 'the goals of the SMO will be achieved in any case'."

He stated that Russia is waging a bloody war; today one goal may be announced, but tomorrow it is adjusted and takes on a different character and substance.

Russia's Strategic Goals: What Does the Enemy Aim to Achieve Currently?

Currently, Snegirev identifies the strategic goals for the Russians as pushing Ukrainian Armed Forces units out of the Kursk region and reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk before the inauguration of American President Donald Trump.

"These are the two strategic goals facing Putin right now. Everything else is just a political bluff," he explained.

Posternak noted that the Russian Armed Forces currently aim to occupy the entire Donetsk region and reach the administrative borders of Dnipropetrovsk. Meanwhile, it is unlikely that the enemy's goal is to retake Kherson or attack Zaporizhzhia.

"However, the Russians may certainly attempt such actions. Nevertheless, the most crucial goal for them right now is indeed the complete conquest of the Donetsk region," the political scientist concluded.

Recall that on December 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that his country is ready for negotiations and compromises. In contrast, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, emphasized that peace negotiations can only begin with consideration of Ukraine's opinions and interests.

On December 18, the commander of the K-2 battalion of the 54th OMBr, with the call sign "Oscar," reported that Russian Armed Forces have intensified assault actions in the Severodonetsk direction. In particular, the enemy is attempting to attack on three sections of the front east of Severodonetsk.