US Officials Cite Russian Missteps and Ongoing Military Struggles

The White House has declared Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “strategic disaster,” providing evidence that Russian forces have faced substantial setbacks in their military objectives. Ukrainian officials report that Russian troops have abandoned Chernobyl after exposure to high radiation levels, further highlighting the failures in the Russian campaign. While some forces are being redeployed, NATO warns that Russian forces are regrouping for additional attacks. At the same time, Russia’s demand for gas payments in roubles has been rejected by European leaders, illustrating further isolation from the international community. Amid these developments, the US assesses that Putin’s leadership is increasingly fraught with misjudgments, with some claiming he has been misled by advisers. Meanwhile, heavy fighting is expected to continue in Kyiv, as Russia prepares for a major offensive in the Donbas region.