Ukrainian intelligence says Russia is developing plans for a long-term war.
Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s main intelligence division, said Russian forces had continued to plan the war for the next 120 days, until October 2022.
“If the first plan was for 10-14 days and the full occupation of Ukraine, then these plans began to change, and amendments were made. In fact, every 30 days they develop new plans. Therefore, we have unequivocally confirmed data that they have the next plan for 120 days,” he said.
Skibitsky said that the Russian forces would also adjust this plan mainly based on their success in Donbas.
The International Organization for the Study of War (ISW) says Skibitsky’s statement is likely to indicate that the Kremlin has at least acknowledged that it will not be able to achieve its goals quickly in Ukraine and is adjusting its military objectives to address its shortcomings.
Ukrainian officials are demanding the supply of offensive and defensive equipment from the West, especially to combat the superiority of Russian artillery. Dmitry Krasilnikov, head of Ukraine’s Northern Operations Command, said Ukrainian forces were experiencing shortages of long-range artillery systems, while Russian artillery continued to defeat Ukrainian infantry. Adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Alexander Daniliuk said that Russian forces have adopted a new unspecified strategy that allows them to make more careful maneuvers. Daniliuk added that Russian forces have more resources than Ukraine, which would be advantageous in the event of a protracted conflict. The mayor of Severodonetsk, Alexander Stryuk, said Ukrainian defenders needed long-range artillery and air defense systems to fight against Russian troops advancing in the Luhansk region.
“Ukrainian forces will need consistent Western support, especially in terms of artillery systems,” the ISW wrote.
The ISW also says that as of June 11, Russian forces continued ground attacks in the Severodonetsk region, however, Ukrainian defenders retained control of the city’s industrial zone. The Russian armed forces allegedly resumed attempts to cross the Hirske-Lysychansk highway and carried out unsuccessful attacks on settlements along the Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway.
Russian forces continued to attack the settlements southwest and southeast of Izium in order to resume their advance into Slovyansk. Ukrainian forces are likely to have resumed counterattacks northwest of Kherson, south of their previous operations.
The Russian occupation forces distributed the first batch of Russian passports in Kherson and Melitopol.
By Ana Dumbadze
