CIA analysts predict Putin's next move after Ukraine's failed counterattack
(Baonghean.vn) - Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern commented that after Ukraine failed in its counterattack, Russian President Vladimir Putin will order his army to launch an attack. Accordingly, they will expand the area of control near the Dnieper.
“When the Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive, with all its resources, is completely bogged down, in two or three weeks, what will be President Putin’s next move? I think by mid-August, a month or two before the weather turns to autumn, Russia will have free access to the Dnieper,” McGovern said.
The CIA expert also added that armored vehicles provided by the West will not affect the determination of the Russian army, because “they are not afraid of it.”
Sharing the same view, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson said that the Russian army destroyed most of Ukraine's 155mm artillery platforms.
“The Ukrainian Armed Forces do not have enough artillery to change the situation on the battlefield. Ammunition is running out, stockpiles are being destroyed, and Russian drone attacks are continuing,” said Johnson.
According to Mr. Johnson, it was for this reason that US President Joe Biden made the “difficult decision” to transfer cluster bombs to Ukraine. Simply, the US side no longer has conventional 155mm ammunition.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Brazil's O Globo newspaper on July 31, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained that the support provided to Ukraine by Western countries was not enough, while the conflict with Russia continued.
“Is there enough aid? If the conflict ends, then everything will be enough. As long as the conflict continues, nothing will be enough. This shows that we are lacking everything. Aid is different now. It is not only weapons, but also information warfare, humanitarian aid…” - the Ukrainian leader shared.
Ukraine's parliament has approved the state budget for 2023 with a deficit of 296 trillion hryvnia ($35.1 billion). Prime Minister Denys Shmygal noted that the monthly budget deficit is estimated at $3 billion, which Kiev intends to cover with external loans.