Patricia Zengerle. Idrees A. Ali. Doina. Chiacu

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Russia’s three-month-old war with Ukraine has reached a “bite of a stalemate”, and Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be preparing for a prolonged conflict according to top U.S. intelligence officers on Tuesday.

Russia calls the invasion “a special army operation” but it has sent additional troops into Ukraine to support a massive offensive. But, the gains are slow.

In March, strong Ukrainian resistance defeated Russia’s invasion of Kyiv.

The head of Defense Intelligence Agency Lieutenant General Scott Berrier stated before the Senate Armed Services Committee, “The Russians and Ukrainians aren’t winning, and we’re at a bit more of a deadlock here.”

He stated that the war has claimed at least eight to ten Russian generals’ deaths.

Russia’s war on Ukraine has caused thousands to die, forced millions of Ukrainians from their homeland and destroyed entire cities. Moscow doesn’t have much to show beyond its marginal gains in east and south.

Putin exhorted Russians for victory in a defiant Victory Day address on Monday. However, Putin was not forthcoming about his plans for Ukraine’s escalation despite Western warnings.

Avril Haines, Director for National Intelligence, stated that victory by Russia in Donbass in eastern Ukraine would not be enough to end the war.

Haines stated that Putin was preparing to wage a long-term conflict in Ukraine, during which he intends to still achieve his goals beyond those of the Donbas.

Her comments were accompanied by the observation that Putin had been counting on the West’s weakness over the course of the conflict. As the conflict continues, it was causing concern for how the situation would evolve in the months ahead.

Haines explained that Putin is facing a conflict between his ambitions, and Russia’s conventional military capability. “The next few months may see us move along an unpredictable and possibly escalatory path.”

TACTICAL NUCLEAR WAPONS

After Putin’s February 24th invasion of Ukraine, Western concerns about nuclear war have increased. In a speech, he pointedly mentioned Moscow’s nukes and warned that any effort to stop Russia from gaining control of Ukraine would lead to “such consequences as you’ve never experienced in your entire history.”

Russia announced last month it will deploy its Sarmat intercontinental missiles ballistic missiles capable of carrying out nuclear attacks against the United States.

Berrier responded to a question on the possibility of Putin using nuclear tactical weapons: “Right at this moment, we don’t see that.”

Haines earlier stated that Putin will only authorize nuclear weapons use if the Russian government is in imminent danger.

U.S. President Joe Biden Monday stated that he fears that Putin will not find a way to end the Ukraine war. Biden added that he was working to resolve that issue.