Pro-Russian separatists with a Z on their shell
From BZ/dpa
According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the Russian military is preparing for a prolonged war.
The planning of the Russian armed forces has been extended for 120 more days until October 2022, the military experts of the US Institute for the Study of the War (ISW) reported on Saturday (local time), citing information from secret service deputy director Wadym Skibizkij. The Russian military will continue to adjust its plans depending on the success in the Donbas, this happens almost monthly.
According to the ISW, the information indicated that the Kremlin does not believe that it will be able to achieve its goals in Ukraine quickly. It is an attempt by the Russian military to correct initial deficiencies in the offensive.
Skibitsky also said that the Russian armed forces had another 40 combat battalions. 103 battalions are already in Ukraine.
However, according to the ISW experts, given the shortage of personnel at the front, it is unlikely that the Russian military would keep such a large part of its armed forces in reserve. It may be a mash-up of units.
A Ukrainian soldier on a wrecked Russian armored personnel carrier in Kharkiv on March 26 Photo: E.L