As Russia’s offensive against Ukraine continues, a resident in the front-line city of Bakhmut is seen taking a break while carrying empty ammunition boxes on the street.

As the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine is fast approaching on Friday, Al Jazeera interviewed Pavel Felgenhauer, a Russian defense analyst, and former high-ranking research officer in the Soviet Academy of Sciences.

According to independent military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer, an expert in Russian foreign and defense policies, military doctrine, arms trade, and the military-industrial complex, the war is expected to intensify but could be concluded within this year. Given the intense nature of the combat, he asserted that the conflict would likely last up to 12 months.

Who will eventually win a decisive triumph?

Experts agree that it is impossible to predict what will happen.