Russia’s proposal for a 2-3 day ceasefire is dangerous: it uses the pause to regroup and bring in ammunition – Vladyslav Selezniov
Russia uses the idea of short-term ceasefires not for humanitarian purposes, but for troop redeployment and bringing in reserves. Military expert and former spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Vladyslav Selezniov, stated this in a comment to OstroV.
This is how he responded to information that during the latest meeting in Istanbul, russia proposed a “targeted ceasefire” for 2-3 days allegedly for the evacuation of bodies of the deceased.
“Of course, such an initiative is dangerous. Remember the previous ceasefire, after which the russians resumed attacks on our positions with an advantage. During those 30 hours, they pulled a significant amount of resources from the south, even from the area of Kostiantynivka”, - Selezniov recalled.
He emphasized that such “humanitarian pauses” are used by russia to regroup forces, evacuate the wounded, deliver ammunition, and provide logistical support.
“They want to declare a ceasefire in specific spots — precisely where the russians need to concentrate forces in safe conditions. This allows them to buy time, while we lose initiative. If there is to be a ceasefire, it must be comprehensive and under international control”, - the expert stated.
Selezniov also reminded of the so-called “ceasefire” of May 7-10, when russia formally agreed to a lull, but in reality “there wasn’t a single section of the front where fighting didn’t continue”.
“The enemy actively used all types of firepower, including aviation and guided bombs. Publicly they spoke of a ‘ceasefire’, but in reality they kept attacking”, - the expert emphasized.
He noted that in the absence of effective monitoring — for example, a peacekeeping mission or other independent observers — no “targeted ceasefire” can be a guarantee of safety.
“The OSCE’s experience from 2014 to 2022 showed that unarmed observers are a structure that ‘hears nothing, sees nothing, and can say nothing’. That’s why Ukraine must be extremely cautious with such initiatives”, - Selezniov concluded.