National Security and Defence Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov has confirmed reports that Russia is preparing to intensify hostilities as of 24 February.
"They are preparing for maximum activation, taking into account the situation that these are people from the Soviet Union, and they believe that if there is an anniversary, they should have some achievements by this anniversary," he said on the air of Radio Liberty.
Danilov noted that Ukraine has "an understanding of the areas where they (the occupiers - ed.) want to do something."
In particular, he said they may attempt to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as carry out an offensive in the Zaporizhzhya direction.
"They have been trying for a week to understand what is happening in the Zaporizhzhya sector in terms of defense... Now there is a certain accumulation of troops, we know this," Danilov added.
Answering the question of whether 24 February could be repeated, he said that Ukraine had changed over the year.
"Our country on 24 February 2022 and on 24 February 2023 is in a slightly different situation. Moreover, we do not understand how this can happen now. Today, the situation at the borders and the vigilance of the Armed Forces is completely different," Danilov said.
He added that Ukraine has more weapons to repel the enemy offensive.