German Gref, the head of Russia's state-controlled Sberbank and its most powerful banker, has publicly urged President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine, citing growing public concern over the country's deteriorating economic situation.
In an interview broadcast on state television, Gref stated that Russians are overwhelmingly worried about the economy, which he believes is being exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. "I don't think there's a single person who isn't concerned about anything other than a rapid end of hostilities, that's clear," Gref said. He further warned that Russia has "already overcooled the economy," suggesting that high military spending is contributing to economic disruption, including fuel queues, declining wages, layoffs, rising prices, and high interest rates.
This public plea from Gref comes as an opinion poll, cited by the Kyiv-based Russian Institute for Conflict Study and Analysis, indicates that 81% of Russians desire an end to the war, the highest percentage since the conflict began.
Ukrainian Military Assesses Battlefield Situation
Meanwhile, Ukraine's military leadership is preparing for potential new Russian offensive actions. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top military commander, stated in a television interview that his forces are anticipating a possible Russian attack from the north, originating from Russia's Bryansk region. Syrskyi clarified that such an operation would likely aim to seize territory in Ukraine's Chernihiv region and draw Ukrainian forces away from other areas, rather than attempting a direct advance on Kyiv as seen early in the conflict.
"The most likely scenario, and this is confirmed by several data sources, is possible offensive action in the north from the territory of Russia, from the Bryansk region," Syrskyi said. "This is a realistic option, of course, and we are preparing for it." He added that the objective would be "stretching the front and depriving us of reserves."
Syrskyi expressed skepticism about Belarus increasing its involvement in the war, despite its territory being used by Russia for the initial invasion. He believes the Belarusian leadership is unlikely to sanction further use of its territory as a staging ground for offensive operations. However, Ukrainian forces are accounting for this possibility.
Syrskyi also noted indications that Russian troops are exhausted, with the intensity of front-line battles declining by approximately 30%. This comes as Ukrainian forces continue long-range strikes against Russian targets, primarily in the oil industry. Ukraine has targeted key Russian facilities, including the Kapotnya Oil Refinery near Moscow.
Ukraine's defense minister had previously warned of a six-to-nine-month window of opportunity on the battlefield to gain an advantage over Russia.