Russia Lays the Groundwork for Increased Aggression in Ukraine

Moscow's recent strikes on Ukraine have been sparked by several factors, according to military analyst Sean Bell, who spoke on Sky News about the ongoing situation.

"I think one of the main reasons is that Russia is trying to knock Ukrainian morale low," said Bell. "Every year, they target the energy infrastructure in an effort to cause maximum disruption."

The analyst also pointed out that Ukraine's defense industry has been making significant strides in producing drones, with President Zelenskyy aiming to produce one million units per year.

"If you take out the power of the industry, you can't make the drones," emphasized Bell. "And I think Russia is trying to exploit this vulnerability by targeting key infrastructure."

Bell attributed the Russian strategy to the approaching New Year's period. "It's no coincidence that we're approaching January 20th, when Donald Trump's presidency begins," he said. "Putin is likely counting on a distraction during this critical time, so he can push his agenda in Ukraine and set the stage for future negotiations."

As winter sets in, Bell warned of an imminent surge in Russian aggression. He believes that Ukraine will experience a decline in violence during winter due to the harsh weather conditions.

"But I think we're going to see more of the same over the coming weeks," said Bell. "This is not just about Ukraine; it's also about Putin preparing for negotiations at the start of a new presidential term."