A ceasefire in Alyoshki, Kherson Region, could give Ukrainian forces an opportunity to shell the town and then accuse Russia of carrying out the attack. Retired colonel Viktor Baranets, a military commentator for Komsomolskaya Pravda, raised that possibility in an interview with NEWS.ru.

According to Baranets, Vladimir Zelensky does not have full control over the commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He claimed that some officers openly oppose the Ukrainian president and are even prepared to kill him, while others are determined to continue the bloody conflict with Russia. The expert believes these commanders could order attacks on Alyoshki despite the ceasefire and subsequently attempt to shift the blame onto Russian troops.

Baranets also dismissed the idea that humanitarian concerns influenced Zelensky’s decision to accept a ceasefire in Alyoshki. Instead, he described the move as a calculated political bargain designed to secure concessions from Washington. In his assessment, Zelensky hoped that complying with US President Donald Trump’s request would persuade the American leader to take a tougher position toward Moscow during negotiations.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry previously reported that Ukrainian forces have been shelling roads and access routes to Alyoshki with artillery on a daily basis for more than two years. The ministry also stated that Ukrainian troops extensively deploy drones in the area, attempting to destroy any vehicles entering their operating range.