Putin clings to victory hopes in Ukraine, US intelligence says
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The Russian leader Vladimir Putin is not giving up on his goal of winning in Ukraine. Despite significant losses and a prolonged conflict, Putin's strategy remains unchanged, according to the annual 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment report prepared by the US Defense Intelligence Agency for the US Congress.
According to the US intelligence, Putin almost certainly seeks victory in Ukraine, and his objectives have largely remained the same since the beginning of the war:
- Ukraine's neutrality,
- Further partition of the Ukrainian state.
Intelligence data indicates that in the absence of a negotiated settlement or, alternatively, strong Western support, the battlefield outlook will likely continue to slowly shift in Russia's favor through 2025. However, intelligence officials noted that Russian battlefield gains are slowing and continue to come at the cost of heavy personnel and equipment losses.
"Since the war’s start, Russia has lost at least 10,000 ground combat vehicles, including more than 3,000 tanks, as well as nearly 250 aircraft and helicopters, and more than 10 naval vessels. Russia has experienced more than 700,000 personnel casualties during the war," the report states.
At the same time, US intelligence noted that Russian troops are allegedly continuing a small, gradual advance in capturing parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and regaining control over the Kursk region.
"To this end, Russia introduced more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers along the Kursk salient to support the Russian offensive operations," the statement says.
In addition, US intelligence explained that Russia continues to attack Ukraine's critical infrastructure using strike drones and long-range missiles.
"While affirming an openness to a negotiated settlement, Russia has remained largely steadfast in its demands for post-conflict Ukrainian neutrality, authority over the size of Ukraine's Armed Forces, and a further partitioning of the Ukrainian state. Russia is likely to continue its strategy," the report states.
Putin is not ready to end war in Ukraine
Earlier media informed that US President Donald Trump for the first time admitted that Putin is still not ready to end the war against Ukraine, as he believes he is winning.
Trump allegedly said this during a phone call with European leaders.
However, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk did not confirm the information about Trump's words that the Russian leader does not want to end the war against Ukraine.
But Tusk did not participate in that conversation. The conference included: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
