Russian elites are increasingly concerned about Ukraine's acquisition of advanced Western weaponry, fearing the potential destruction of the land bridge to Crimea, The Washington Post reports. Discord among military leaders, drone attacks on Moscow, and incursions into Russia's western provinces raise doubts about Putin's control.
Russian lawmaker Konstantin Zatulin's remarks highlight the failure to achieve military objectives, deepening the pessimism among the elite. Losing Crimea would be a severe blow to Putin, exposing a miscalculation.
Western proposals for long-term security arrangements for Ukraine intensify concerns. Delivery of modern weapons and Ukrainian army modernization, even without NATO membership, are seen as an existential threat by Russian leaders.
Sergei Markov warns of a potential power struggle among elite groups and aims to quell cross-border distractions. Russia prepares for a Ukrainian counteroffensive, constructing defenses and forcing the Ukrainian army into more detectable formations.
The war continues without achieving objectives, with the outcome depending on the anticipated counterattack.
If the Ukrainian counterattack fails, the US likely will cut short the provision of armaments and so will any EU member-states. In the case of Russia, it will be proof of Putin's and Russia's declining power in the world arena. The consequences of this might be not only political but also economic.
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