Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a protracted conflict in Ukraine, warns American intelligence, writes Deutsche Welle.
Even if the advance of the Russian army in the Donbass will be successful, Russia will not be limited to captured territories – the target will be the regions outside the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine, the US exploration director Everyl Heins said.
According to American intelligence, Russia seeks to expand the land passage in Transnistria, and in the next few months the war in Ukraine can develop along “a more unpredictable and potentially escalation trajectory.” Putin expects the Western determination will weaken over time, Haines said.
US intelligence also does not exclude the possibility of introducing martial law in Russia due to the Kremlin’s inability to achieve its goals in the war with Ukraine. “The likelihood that President Putin will resort to more radical means, including the introduction of martial law, reorientation of industry or a potential escalation of hostilities, in order to release the resources necessary to achieve his goals,” Haines said.
According to intelligence, Putin will use nuclear weapons only if it feels that Russia is faced with an existential threat.