British Secret Service
LONDON: Russia is making no headway on offensives in Ukraine
Russian soldiers in Ukraine prepare a Sani-type mortar for launch. photo
© Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP/dpa
According to British intelligence, Russia has been trying to resume major offensives in Ukraine since the beginning of the year. But apparently without success.
According to British estimates, Russian troops are not making any headway in the war of aggression against Ukraine. The armed forces only managed to conquer “several hundred meters” per week, the Ministry of Defense in London said in its daily intelligence report. “This is almost certainly because Russia now lacks the ammunition and maneuvering units needed for successful offensives.”
Since the beginning of the year, Russia has apparently been trying to resume larger offensives. The aim is probably to conquer the parts of the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk that are still held by Ukraine, which Russia annexed in violation of international law.
London suspects that commanders are pursuing unrealistic goals due to political pressure from Moscow, which they could not achieve with the existing, undermanned and inexperienced units. The Russian leadership will continue to demand progress. “It remains unlikely that Russia will be able to build up the forces needed to significantly influence the outcome of the war in the coming weeks,” it said in London.
The British Ministry of Defense has been publishing daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February last year, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign.
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