Representatives of the US intelligence community believe that after a successful Ukrainian counter-offensive in the occupied Kharkiv Region, russian troops will likely be forced to withdraw from other territories they have captured, the Washington Post informs.
“The Russians are in trouble. The question will be how the russians will react, but their weaknesses have been exposed and they don’t have great manpower reserves or equipment reserves,” one US official said on condition of anonymity.
Ukrainian forces appeared to be moving ahead carefully and consolidating their gains, another official said.
At the same time, Washington does not believe that russia's retreat in Kharkiv Region indicates its major strategic loss.
In addition, US intelligence is skeptical that Putin, who has resisted calling up additional forces, would resort to extreme tactics such as the use of chemical or tactical nuclear weapons. Given that russia still has the capability to regroup and hit back hard.
According to WP’s interlocutors, there could be breakthroughs in Mariupol and Kherson Regions as well, but fighting in those regions has already taken a heavy toll on Ukrainian forces, the officials said.
Earlier,Prime Minister Shmyhal warned against euphoria: good news about thecounter-offensive comes at a very high price. Defenders are giving their lives.