Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is trying to absolve himself of responsibility and says it more and more often Russia wants to end the war against Ukraine As soon as possible.
This was stated by the analysis of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In connection with Washington’s decision to deliver the Patriot air defense system to Kiev, Vladimir Putin increased the number of his statements, it aimed to reduce Western security assistance to Ukraine.
Analysts noted that Putin has begun hysterically accusing the United States of “prolonging” the war and trying to convince them that US missile defense systems “will not achieve” their goals.
Since the fall of Lisichansk on July 3, the Russian army has not achieved any significant victories,” ISW wrote.
Institute analysts believe that one of those that Putin accused of the failures is the chief of staff Valery Gerasimovwho a day ago made his first solo appearance in a long time.
Gerasimov addressed foreign military attachés and promoted the first justifications of the war: “neo-Nazism” in Ukraine and “Kiev’s preparations for an attack on Donbass and Crimea“.
The Kremlin refrained from showing Gerasimov to the public for almost ten months, until December 17, and now, as the war enters its second year, it is probably trying. to reintroduce him as another figure responsible for this warpoints out ISW.
For its part, the Kremlin has long manipulatively presented every Westerner aid to Ukraine as escalationsays the ISW report.
Instead, experts say, the Patriot system will enhance Ukraine’s ability to protect critical infrastructure from Russian missile attacks aimed at inflicting civilian casualties.
“The Patriot” will also thwart Putin’s attempts to do so forced Ukraine to negotiate on its own termsadded the Institute for the Study of War.
At the same time, analysts point out, the dictator stressed that the Russian Federation would not increase the pace of the special military operation (SVO), as this would lead to “unjustified losses.”
“These statements are part of a consolidated effort to justifying Putin’s costly military effort to the internal public of Russia, which is making ever greater sacrifices to achieve the Kremlin’s unrealistic goals,” explains ISW.
Experts recalled that since the capture of Lisychansk on July 3, the Russian army has not achieved significant victories in Ukraine.
“In recent days, Putin and representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry have repeatedly expressed themselves and proposed vague justifications for military failurespossibly with the aim of minimizing the consequences of a protracted war,” the report adds.
Key Findings of the Institute for the Study of War:
- Putin continues to refuse to treat Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as an equal and sovereign partner, demonstrating once again that he is not interested in serious negotiations.
- Putin has stepped up Russia’s ongoing intelligence operation aimed at reducing Western security aid to Ukraine.
- Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, has sought to revive the debunked Russian version that the Kremlin invaded Ukraine to “prevent Ukraine from attacking” Russian-occupied Donbass and Crimea.
- The Kremlin said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited the frontline in Ukraine for the second time in a week, possibly to deflect criticism that Shoigu is not a military leader.
- Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of PMC Wagner, continues to seek to raise the profile of the military company to establish himself as a central figure in Russia’s ultra-nationalist pro-military society.
- The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, held talks with Russian representatives regarding the creation of a safety zone around the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
- Russian forces continue to make limited counterattacks along the Kremenna-Svatovo line, while Ukrainian forces continue counterattacks near Kremenna.
- Russian forces continue offensive near Bakhmut and Avdeevka.
- Russian troops are tightening security measures in the Kherson region and Crimea, fearing Ukrainian counterattacks.
- A senior Russian official has dismissed claims of a second wave of mobilization amid ongoing cryptomobilization efforts.
- Ukrainian partisans continue to attack Russian occupiers and collaborators.
