The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent claims regarding Russia's military plans for the next two years, suggesting that Russia sets 'outrageously unrealistic timelines' that do not align with its true capabilities on the battlefield. Zelensky stated that Ukraine has intercepted Russian plans indicating continued efforts to capture Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as advances in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, along with territorial goals in the Odesa region. The validity of these claims raises questions about Russia's intentions and capabilities in the ongoing conflict.

Zelensky asserted that such ambitions from Russia suggest that Moscow is not genuinely interested in freezing the conflict along the current front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The ISW analysis posits that if Zelensky's allegations hold weight, they demonstrate a fundamental disconnect between Russia’s stated objectives and its operational reality in Ukraine. This dissonance highlights the difficulty in anticipating Russia's military strategy and the potential ramifications for the ongoing hostilities.

In 2022, Russia unilaterally annexed the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson in violation of international law and without achieving full military control, which complicates the credibility of its projections for future military actions. The ISW’s evaluation serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of the conflict and the challenges faced by both sides in interpreting each other's moves as the situation unfolds.