Russia still has sights set on Kyiv, despite tough Ukraine resistance
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An emergency crew among the building rubble from a missile strike on Lobanovsky, Ukraine, February 26, 2022 in Kiev, Ukraine.
Laurent Van Der Stockt | Getty Images News | Getty Images
A Pentagon assessment that was shared with CNBC by the Pentagon shows that Moscow still desires its invasion troops to take Kyiv.
A senior Defense official stated that there is every sign that the Ukrainians want to seize Kyiv. He also said that the Russians are moving on the ground to make it closer.
The Russian advance on Ukraine’s capital has slowed but the forces are approximately 25 km (16 miles) away, according to the source. Official cautioned that the distance was an estimation and that the terrain is changing.
They are throwing everything at it.
Official from the U.S. Defense on Russian Firepower so Far
We expect them to keep moving forward, and attempt to surround the city. [Kyiv]”In the next days,” said the official. The official stated that they are not yet there, although that doesn’t mean that it’s happening. However, this appears to be the thing that they want.
This is the most current assessment made public by the U.K. Ministry of DefenceIt was stated that Ukraine continues to control not only Kyiv, but also Kharkiv (and Chernihiv), both sites of bloody fighting over the past days.
According to the U.K. ministry, “Despite continuing attempts to conceal details about the conflict from Russia’s population, the Russian Armed Forces was forced for the first-time to admit suffering casualties.”
The Monday Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign AffairsRussian Invasion Forces claimed to have lost nearly 4,500 people, 200 tanks, and 60 aircraft so far, with half of these being helicopters.
CNBC cannot independently verify Ukraine’s claims.
Ukraine Air Power and Communications
According to the U.S. Defense Official, while the Russians started attacking Ukrainian missile defense capability early, “by day five,” the Ukrainians had significant missile and air defense capabilities.
The official stated that Ukraine’s command-and-control systems are intact. Communications are still accessible, despite intermittent outages.
Command and Control refers to Ukraine’s ability to coordinate its forces across the country using electronic means.
According to the official, Russian forces would likely keep targeting Ukraine’s missile and air capabilities.
United States, European Union and specific EU members have offered more weapons to Ukraine. These include anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that EU member countries were in negotiations to give fighter jets to Ukraine — particularly Soviet-built planes, which Ukrainian pilots know how to fly.
Missile attacks, logistics problems
According to the U.S. Defense Official, Russia has so far launched more than 385 missiles. The official responded that Russia was “throwing a lot of firepower at the problem” when he was pressed for more information on Russian missile launch numbers.
According to the official, they are launching cruise missiles and medium-range missiles. “They are using artillery. They are using rockets. Maneuved aircraft.
American and British officials insist that Russian units continue to deal with disruptions in supply and logistical issues.
According to U.S. officials, there is no evidence that troops from Belarus have been operating in Ukraine despite reports to the contrary. Belarus and Russia are closely linked.
The official stated that “our best information is, that the forces within Ukraine are all Russians.”
A U.S. Defense official stated that 75% of Russian forces who were present along Ukraine’s borders prior to the invasion now have crossed into the country.
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