The most likely time to achieve readiness for Russia to escalate against Ukraine will be the end of January. This was stated by Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov during a speech in Parliament, the UNN correspondent reports.

"Our intelligence analyzes all scenarios, including the worst. It notes that the probability of a large-scale escalation from Russia - exists. The most likely time to reach readiness for escalation will be the end of January," Reznikov said.

He stressed that the escalation is a "probable scenario, but not obligatory.

At the same time, the minister stressed that "if necessary, Ukraine will fight back.

The head of the Defense Ministry also said that the total number of Russian troops that could be involved in the escalation against Ukraine was estimated at 94,300.

The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that Russia is preparing for an attack on the country in late January or early February 2022.

Budanov suggested that the attack could include air strikes, artillery and armored attacks, followed by airborne attacks in the east of the country, landing attacks in Odessa and Mariupol of the Donetsk Region and invasions via neighboring Belarus.

At the same time, he noted that such attacks would be preceded by a series of psychological operations, which are already underway to destabilize Ukraine and undermine its ability to defend itself.

For its part, Ukraine, in addition to U.S. assistance, is seeking additional air, missile, and drone defense systems, as well as electronic suppression devices, including Patriot missile batteries and anti-missile, artillery, and mortar systems.