US Intelligence: "Putin to Intensify Attacks on Ukrainian Resistance... Internal Morale Declining"

"Russia feels impact of sanctions but unlikely to be deterred"
"Ukraine to face harsh situation in coming weeks"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] U.S. intelligence agencies predicted that Russia did not anticipate Ukraine's strong resistance and that Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to intensify the attack.

Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), said at the House Intelligence Committee's annual hearing on the 8th (local time), "Our analysts estimate that Putin is unlikely to be deterred despite Ukraine's strong resistance and will rather increase the intensity."

She added, "So far, 2,000 to 4,000 Russian soldiers have died in the attacks, and Russia is feeling the impact of sanctions," and "Ukraine's humanitarian situation will worsen further, including the possibility of water and food supply being cut off in the capital Kyiv within two weeks."

Director Haines assessed that Russia underestimated Ukraine's resistance and that Russia's military operations are struggling with poor planning and low morale.

Regarding Russia's move to strengthen its nuclear posture in response to Western sanctions, she called it "very unusual," but said, "We have not observed any changes in Russia's nuclear posture different from before the escalation of tensions," implying no change in Russia's nuclear stance.

William Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), predicted that the coming weeks will be very ugly in Ukraine. He said, "Putin is angry and frustrated and will double down to defeat the Ukrainian forces regardless of civilian casualties." Regarding reports that Russia is cutting off water supplies in Kyiv, Scott Berrier, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), predicted, "If supplies are cut off, the situation will become desperate within 10 days to two weeks."

There was also analysis that although China is shaken by Western sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine invasion, its determination to strengthen control over Taiwan should not be underestimated. At the hearing, when asked whether there is room for productive dialogue between the U.S. and China on the Taiwan issue after Russia's invasion, Director Burns answered, "No." Burns said, "We will not underestimate the decisions of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leadership on the Taiwan issue," adding, "From the intensity of the Western response to Ukraine's resistance, I think they have been somewhat surprised and shaken by what has happened in Ukraine over the past 12 days." He continued, "This will have an impact on China's calculations regarding Taiwan," and added, "We will watch carefully."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.