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The United States believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a protracted conflict in Ukraine, U.S. National Intelligence Director Avril Haines told lawmakers on May 10.
“We believe that President Putin is preparing for a protracted conflict in Ukraine, during which he still aims to achieve goals beyond the Donbas.”told Haines, Senate Armed Services Committee.
There are indications that Russia wants to expand a land bridge in Transnistria, she said in her testimony before the committee.
She added that Putin is relying on Western determination to weaken over time, and victory in the Donbas may not end the war.
“Putin also very likely thinks that Russia has a greater ability and willingness to endure challenges than its opponents, and he is probably relying on the US and EU determination to weaken after the shortcomings. “Food, inflation and energy prices are deteriorating.” tha Haines.
Haines also told the committee that Putin is expected to become more unpredictable and may order martial law in Russia.
“The current trend increases the likelihood that the President [rus Vladimir] “Putin should turn to more drastic means, including the establishment of martial law, the reorientation of industrial production or potentially escalating military options to free up the resources needed to achieve his goals,” she said.
Haines said Putin was unlikely to order the use of nuclear weapons if the Russian homeland did not face an “existential threat.”
But she also said Putin’s actions could become more unpredictable.
“Combined with the reality that Putin faces a mismatch between his ambitions and Russia’s current conventional military capabilities, it is likely that the coming months may see us moving along a more unpredictable and potentially escalating trajectory.”added Haines.
Lieutenant General Scott Berrier, who also testified before the committee, said Russia had used indiscriminate and brutal methods in response to the Ukrainian resistance.
He said the United States estimates that between eight and ten Russian generals have been killed in the war.
He also told the commission that neither side is currently winning./ REL
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