Russia may try to invade Ukraine from the north again in New Year, commander warns

Ukrainian military top brass says Kyiv forces will be ready after fears of attack around his birthday first failed attempt on February 24

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Russia: Putin's forces load an intercontinental ballistic missile into a silo

Ukraine is preparing for another Russian attempt to invade from the north in New Year, a senior Ukrainian commander has warned.

He fears the attack is planned around the anniversary of his first failed attempt to seize Kyiv on February 24.

Major General Andrii Kovalchuk, one of the highest ranking officers in the Ukrainian army, said Kyiv forces would be ready even to fight millions of Russians, but they would need a increasingly deadly support from Western allies.

Speaking in a hidden location in the south of the country, he said: "We live in the idea that they will attack again.

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Ukraine believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning another invasion next year (

Picture:

Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

"Yes, we foresee such options, such scenarios. We prepare for them. We live with the thought that they will attack again. That is our task.

"We are looking at a possible Belarusian offensive in late February, maybe later."

He said Ukraine's armed forces would be ready even to fight millions of Russians, but would need ever more lethal support from Western allies, potentially including cluster weapons. ammunition - a type of weapon that many countries, including the UK, have. forbidden.