According to British estimates, the upcoming winter will have a significant impact on the fighting in Ukraine. "Changes in daylight hours, temperature and weather present unique challenges for combatants," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

"Any decisions made by the Russian General Staff will depend in part on the onset of winter." Because daylight hours are significantly decreasing, there will be fewer offensives and more static defensive lines.

Cold injuries and additional challenges

The winter conditions, with more rain and strong winds and snowfall, led to cold injuries and would pose additional challenges to the already low morale of the Russian armed forces, the ministry said. But they also posed problems for the maintenance of the equipment. "Basic exercises such as cleaning weapons must be adapted to the circumstances, and the risk of weapon malfunctions increases," said London. At the same time, the authority emphasized that Ukrainian soldiers were also affected by the conditions.

The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.