US Intelligence Chief: "Ukraine Frontline Stalemate, Russian Counteroffensive Doubtful"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The head of the U.S. intelligence community stated on the 3rd (local time) that the war in Ukraine is expected to remain in a lull for the next few months.

According to the British public broadcaster BBC and others, Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) of the United States, made this forecast at the Reagan National Defense Forum (RNDF) held in California on the same day.

Director Haines said at the forum that most of the current fighting is taking place in the Bakhmut area of eastern Ukraine and around the Donetsk region. She explained that the fighting entered a lull after Russian forces withdrew from the western part of the southern Kherson region last month.

Haines stated, "We are already seeing a slowdown in the tempo of this war," and predicted that this situation is likely to continue for the next few months.

She said that both the Ukrainian and Russian forces will attempt counterattacks after winter following repairs, resupply, and reorganization, but added, "We are actually quite skeptical about whether the Russian side will be truly prepared to do so (counterattack) after winter. Regarding whether the Ukrainian side will be prepared during that period, we are more optimistic."

She also emphasized that despite Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure essential for surviving winter, such as the power grid, being attacked, there is no sign whatsoever that the will to resist Russia’s invasion is weakening.