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Russian leader Vladimir Putin remains optimistic about defeating Ukraine as the war enters its third year. guardian It was reported on Wednesday, citing Western officials.
The outlet did not say how many officials provided the assessment, nor did it name them.
According to the Guardian, officials said Putin continues to have “an extremist goal of conquering Ukraine.”
Still, the Kremlin doesn’t seem to have much of a strategy in place to do so, the newspaper reported.
“We do not believe Russia has any meaningful plans beyond continuing to fight in the hope that Russian personnel and equipment numbers will eventually become clear,” the official said.
They said Putin was likely emboldened by Russia’s capture of the town of Avdiivka on Saturday, the Kremlin’s most notable victory since capturing Bakhmut in May.
On Tuesday, the Russian leader said Kremlin forces should continue advancing into Ukraine in the face of a Kiev withdrawal from Avdiivka, known as the “gateway” to Donetsk.
“As for the overall situation in Avdiivka, this is an absolute success. Congratulations. We need to build on this,” Putin told Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in the Kremlin. Translated by Reuters.
It is widely believed that when the Russian government invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it believed it could capture the country in a matter of days. Since then, the invasion has turned into a costly, two-year dragoon that has pushed back its stated war goals.
But this Western assessment shows that Putin still believes the Kremlin’s original war goals can be achieved.
Russian leaders may also have been encouraged by the slowdown in US aid to Ukraine, Western officials told the Guardian.
Ukraine’s withdrawal from Avdiivka comes as Republican lawmakers seeking U.S. border reform have begun blocking aid plans for the country, resulting in a severe ammunition shortage for Kiev’s military.
Russia has also suffered heavy casualties throughout the war, with a reported loss of 13,000 troops and more than 220 combat vehicles in December during months of fighting in Avdiivka.
When Ukraine withdrew two months later, Russia said it had lost 30,000 troops and 400 vehicles, but this has not been independently verified.
Western estimates suggest a total of 200,000 casualties in Ukraine by the end of 2023. Russia is thought to have lost 315,000 troops.
But analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies said earlier this month that the Russian government has enough equipment and personnel to maintain high casualty rates for two years as it ramps up weapons production and military recruitment.
Former President Donald Trump, who is running for the White House in 2024, has also said he disagrees with the Biden administration’s style of funding for Ukraine, and observers believe the Biden administration could cut military aid packages or , there are concerns that they may completely shut off the tap to Kiev. .