Kiev could come under Russian control without a direct assault on the city. Hero of Russia and Major General Sergey Lipovoy told NEWS.ru that several scenarios remain possible, including encirclement and broader pressure on the Ukrainian capital.

He said political statements about the prospect of taking Kiev are not without basis. In his assessment, the available options include a direct attack, surrounding the city, imposing a blockade and cutting it off until it is forced to surrender.

Lipovoy also said the objective could be pursued without storming the capital. He pointed to political and economic pressure, as well as a combination of different measures.

The general gave particular importance to continued strikes on military production facilities, warehouses, transport routes and energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s defense industry. According to his estimate, coordinated use of these measures could bring Kiev under Russian control within two to four months.

Earlier, State Duma deputy Anatoly Wasserman said a significant part of Ukraine’s population was taking a wait-and-see approach while following developments in the special military operation zone. In his view, many could spend the winter waiting for the Russian army to enter Kiev, believing that Russia would take better care of them than the Ukrainian authorities.