Director of the Kyiv-based Center for Army Conversion and Disarmament Studies Valentyn Badrak has said there is a high possibility of military actions by Russia against Ukraine before the Russian 2018 presidential election.

"The likelihood of such an operation before the election is rather high," Badrak said on Friday during a press conference.

"Relations between Russia and the U.S. have worsened. The symbolic support of Ukraine by the head of the U.S. Department of Defense and ministers of eight NATO countries irked Russia greatly, something we have not seen since the start of the war," he said, adding that Russia military leaders are not impressed by Ukraine's military potential.

"What has been done in Ukraine over three years gives Russian analysts grounds to say that Ukraine is not ready for a massive war, a surprise strike. Meanwhile, Russia has increased its capabilities…," he said, adding that Ukraine as a buffer zone between the Russia and the West suits many Europeans.