Could Russian Troops March on Kyiv Again?
As Russia intensifies military activity in Sumy and prepares joint drills in Belarus, fears of a renewed assault on Kyiv resurface. Experts weigh the likelihood of escalation and internal unrest in Ukraine.
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Could Russian Troops March on Kyiv Again?
YEREL GÜNDEM / KYIV, UKRAINE
Tensions Escalate as North Korea and Laos Pledge Military Support to Russia
On July 13, 2025, amid continuing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, new international developments have raised concerns over a possible escalation of the war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Pyongyang this week, securing North Korea's agreement to deploy support troops. Although these forces will reportedly be stationed primarily in Russia’s Kursk region—not within occupied Ukrainian territory—their presence near the frontlines has triggered strategic alarms in Kyiv.
Laos has also pledged minor support, reportedly for non-combat tasks such as demining operations. Both moves suggest a potential shift in the war’s regional dynamics, though they stop short of representing formal intervention in Ukraine’s sovereign territory.
Could a Renewed Assault on Kyiv Be Underway?
One of the pressing questions raised by Ukrainian citizens and analysts alike is whether Russia's current offensive in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions could evolve into a larger assault aimed at Kyiv. Military activity in Sumy, located near the Russian border, has increased recently. While Ukrainian forces have managed to slow Russia’s progress, reinforcements from Moscow hint at a possible intensification of the offensive in the coming weeks.
Ukrainian authorities have already launched evacuation trains from Sumy toward the capital and western borders, including the Slovakian frontier—indicating a serious concern over potential Russian advances.
Belarus May Become a Second Front Again
Another troubling development is Russia's planned military drills with Belarus scheduled for September. Historically, such exercises have been used by Moscow to mask troop buildups ahead of real offensives—as seen in February 2022. There is concern that Russian forces may remain in Belarus post-drill, positioning themselves for renewed assaults on northern Ukraine. Still, military experts suggest that fortified Ukrainian defenses around Kyiv would make any such campaign far more difficult than in 2022.
Domestic Stability in Ukraine: Rumors vs. Reality
Questions have also surfaced about the potential for civil unrest or military revolt inside Ukraine. Former MP Artyom Dmytruk, now in exile in London, has claimed that a nationwide uprising could erupt within three months. However, local experts strongly dispute this prediction. Analysts highlight that Dmytruk, once aligned with President Zelenskyy’s party, is now politically marginalized and has made similar claims in the past without tangible basis.
Journalist and longtime Kyiv resident Deniz Berkin emphasizes that, while war fatigue is spreading among civilians and sporadic dissent appears—particularly at military recruitment centers—there is no credible leadership or structure in place to organize a large-scale rebellion.
Waning Support for Zelenskyy, But No Collapse in Sight
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval ratings have declined significantly from wartime highs, now estimated to range between 30–40 percent. Yet this does not signal a total collapse of public support. Many citizens continue to see him as the most viable leader amid ongoing war. Assertions that his popularity has fallen to 2–3 percent are unfounded, often fueled by foreign propaganda or isolated political voices in exile.
The overall mood in Ukraine remains one of resilience, despite exhaustion. While regional disparities and political diversity persist—especially between western and eastern provinces—there is no unified opposition strong enough to challenge the current government. For now, Ukraine’s domestic front appears stable, though its future remains tightly bound to external military aid and the trajectory of the war.
Etiketler: #Ukraine #Kyiv #Russia #War2025 #Zelenskyy #Belarus #NorthKorea #Sumy
