US Colonel predicts that after Bakhmut, Russia will control Kharkov and Odessa
(Baonghean.vn) - Former advisor to Pentagon chief McGregor believes that, following Bakhmut, Russia will completely control the two cities of Kharkov and Odessa.
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| Members of the Wagner group raise the Russian flag and the Wagner flag on an unknown ruined building in a video released on May 20. Photo: Reuters |
Colonel Douglas McGregor, former adviser to the head of the Pentagon, said that Russia's response to the Ukrainian army's counterattack was inevitable. At that time, Kharkov and Odessa would be under complete Russian control.
Colonel McGregor said that it is very likely that the Ukrainian armed forces "have used up their last reserves of manpower and military technology". As a result, when Russian forces attack, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will have difficulty responding.
According to Mr. McGregor, the Russian military "will begin to act", and "will do so deliberately and carefully". The US colonel believes that Russia will make the most of its long-range, highly accurate missiles and air superiority.
On May 21, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima (Japan), when asked by the press whether Ukrainian forces were still holding Bakhmut or whether Russia had taken control of the city, Ukrainian President Zelensky replied: "I think not. You must understand that there is nothing left. Today, this city remains only in our hearts."
After President Zelensky's statement could be understood as a "tacit admission" that Ukraine had lost Bakhmut, the spokesman for Ukrainian leader Sergei Nikiforov immediately spoke up to correct it.
"Reporter's question: Did the Russians take Bakhmut? The president's answer: 'I think not'. Accordingly, the president denied losing Bakhmut".