Russia is expected to launch a new Ukraine offensive, but it faces a familiar obstacle: Mud

Ukraine and many Western analysts believe Russia is on the precipice of launching a new, large-scale offensive but it’s likely to encounter a familiar obstacle: mud.

Frozen ground conditions in Ukraine are expected to give way to a thaw in the coming weeks, turning the war-torn nation’s fields and rural roads into a quagmire for troops and tanks.

Ukraine’s muddy season is so infamous that it has a name, “rasputitsa” — referring to the season that comes in late fall and early spring — and it has surprised various armies...