After the Russian Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that it had decided to “drastically reduce hostilities” in the Kiev and Chernihiv directions, the United States is already seeing these moves underway — a major shift in strategy, according to two senior American officials.
Russia is starting to withdraw some forces, including Russian Battalion Tactical Groups (BTGs) leaving the surrounding areas around the Ukrainian capital. Russian forces are now retreating in some northern areas to focus on gains in the south and east.
The United States expects Russia to cover its retreat with air and artillery bombardment of the capital, one of the officials said. At the same time, US officials warn that the Russians can always reverse the movement if battle conditions allow.
The move follows peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on Tuesday. In the view of the United States, this is not a short-term adjustment to regroup, but a long-term move, as Russia faces failure to advance in the north.
The source said one of the consequences worrying the United States is keeping European allies united in economic pressure and military support, as Washington expects some of them to pressure Ukraine to accept a peace deal to end the fighting.
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov says Vladimir Putin may be trying to split Ukraine in two – like North Korea and South Korea.
General Budanov said that Russia’s operations in Kiev have failed and it is now impossible for the Russian army to overthrow the Ukrainian government. Putin’s war is now focused on the south and east of the country, he said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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