Washington CNN —Ukrainian forces are facing a “tough” winter and a difficult year ahead, as Western intelligence assessments do not expect significant movement on the frontlines in the coming months, two Western officials and a senior US military official told CNN.
In the nearer term, Western intelligence agencies expect Russia to expand its bombardment of civilian infrastructure, including electrical facilities, in an attempt to inflict further suffering on the civilian population during the cold winter months.
Western intelligence assessments indicate the frontlines are unlikely to change much in the coming months.
“On the other hand,” a senior Western official told CNN, “Ukraine will have the defender’s advantage, and they are very tough at that”.
However, Western intelligence assessments warn that battlefield movement could stagnate until well into 2024, bringing the war closer to the “frozen conflict” that many Russia observers fear plays to Putin’s advantage.
Persons:
Vladimir Putin, ”, Donald Trump, Putin, John Kirby, Kylie Atwood, Natasha Bertrand, Jennifer Hansler, Kevin Liptak, Sam Fossum
Organizations:
Washington CNN, CNN, NATO, Western, “, Fleet, Congress, National Security
Locations:
Russia, “ Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russian, Ukraine, Europe, Israel