The spring offensive is an opportunity for Ukraine to change the course of the war. Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi believes Ukraine needs to get through and cut off the defensive line in a place where the Russians are weak.
For a successful attack, however, the ground must have time to dry up after the unusually wet spring. He believes that it may take until the second half of May before the offensive begins. It could be as early as May 9 when Russia celebrates the victory over Hitler's Germany, just as a marker.