disagreement in the Kremlin
USA: Russian military leadership at odds over winter offensive
12/20/2022, 7:26 p.m
The Ukrainian general staff fears a new major Russian offensive at the beginning of next year. According to Washington, however, opinions differ in Moscow. In addition to hardliners who are calling for new attacks, there are also critical voices in the Kremlin.
According to the US, the Russian leadership is divided on the question of a possible winter offensive in Ukraine. “I think we’re seeing contradictory things,” a US State Department official told reporters. In the Russian leadership, some wanted to launch further offensives against Ukraine. “Others have serious doubts about Russia’s ability to actually implement such operations.”
The US has indications of a “significant shortage” of ammunition in parts of the Russian army. This is an increasing problem for the Kremlin. Ukraine, on the other hand, despite the winter weather, shows “no intention” of slowing down in the recapture of territories occupied by Russia, said the government official, who asked not to be named. “I think the Russians have to take that into account.” The United States would provide Ukraine with the means to “defend effectively against Russian aggression” as best it could.
Ukraine warns that Russia could prepare a winter offensive – including a renewed advance on the capital Kyiv when the ground freezes. There are also fears that Moscow could try again to advance from Belarus into Ukraine. According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with high-ranking military officials tomorrow, Wednesday, to define his army’s goals for the coming year, almost ten months after the start of the invasion.
Russia had suffered significant military setbacks in recent months. Among other things, the Russian army had to withdraw from the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv and from the city of Cherson in the south of the country.