Ukraine's deputy defense minister said it would be possible for Ukrainian troops to advance into Crimea by Christmas next month and end the war by next spring.



Undersecretary of Defense Volodymyr Haurillow, who is visiting London, revealed this prospect in an interview with British private news channel Sky News on the 19th local time.


Is it possible to end the war next spring?

"It would be possible for Ukrainian forces to step into Crimea," said the retired major.



When asked by Sky News if the war could be over by February 24 next year, the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he replied, "Realistically it will take more time than that."



"My feeling is that this war will be over before spring is out," he added.



Fighting continues in Ukraine on three fronts: Kharkiv in the north, Donbass in the east (Luhansk and Donetsk regions), and Kherson in the south.



In particular, in recent months, Ukrainian forces have recaptured much of the territory occupied by Russian forces, but Russian forces are bombarding them with missiles, destroying infrastructure such as power and heating in the Ukrainian rear.


What are the prospects for a truce? 


Regarding the armistice negotiations with Russia, he said that negotiations could only begin when Russian troops were completely withdrawn from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which Russian President Vladimir Putin conquered in 2014, and eastern Ukraine, which was occupied by pro-Russian separatist forces. said.



"Ukrainian society has decided to go to the end," he said, stressing that even if the situation is harsh as the temperature drops as the winter season approaches, the fighting will continue throughout the winter with the momentum such as the recapture of Kherson.



"Cutting down the operation will only give Russia a chance to regroup," he said, explaining that Ukraine had no other choice.


black swan?


He also said he could not rule out the possibility of a "black swan" happening within Russia, creating favorable conditions for Ukraine.



A black swan is a term used to describe an event that is extremely exceptional and unlikely to occur, but has enormous impact and ripple effects when it does happen.



He cited unexpected political developments affecting the Kremlin as an example of such a 'black swan' event.



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