Russian dictator Vladimir Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to stop the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and return the initiative at the front to Russian troops. However, Putin is disingenuous, because the reason here will actually be rainy weather.

This opinion was expressed in an exclusive interview with TSN.ua by military expert, colonel of the reserve of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Roman Svitan.

"Putin most likely asked his meteorologists when the rains in Donbas would begin. He was told that in October. After that, he tasked Shoigu to stop the offensive, adjusting them to the onset of rainy weather, nothing more," the expert said.

"They have nothing to stop the offensive with. The weather will indeed stop our movement in some areas. But this weather will also stop the Russian offensive, where they wanted to conduct it in the Kupyansk area. It is this direction that will fall under the negative influence of the weather after the rains begin," Svitan said.

"Therefore, we can say here that Putin is cunning by setting this kind of tasks, because on October 2 he may be told that the number of attacks by Ukrainian troops has decreased, Russia has stopped them. Although Greta Thunberg with her warming and autumn rains will be more to blame for this than some Putin with his orders," he concluded.

▶ On the TSN YouTube channel, you can watch the video at this link: SVITAN: Why does it make no sense to talk to the Russian Federation and what does the USSR have to do with it? Shoigu received a NEW ORDER

As previously reported in ISW, the Armed Forces of Ukraine can make a significant breakthrough in the south if they can fulfill several conditions. Read more about it HERE.