Senior NATO official does not believe Russia will capture all of Donbas by end of 2027
A senior NATO official does not believe Russia will be able to capture the belt of fortress cities in Donbas by the end of next year.
Source: a senior NATO official on the sidelines of the summit in Ankara, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The official was responding to a question about how long it could take Russia to seize the Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
The official said Russia had expected to capture the cities within three days, but the battle for them is still raging.
He noted that Russian forces lack sufficient personnel to secure and hold newly captured territory, meaning Ukrainian forces are able to continue contesting it for an extended period.
Quote: "I don't think [there are] any credible estimates of Russia being able to take the fortress bell anytime within the next year. Likely, it will take far longer."
Background:
- The senior NATO official also said the pace of Russia's advance in Ukraine in June slowed fourfold compared with June last year.
- NATO believes Russia has not abandoned its objectives in the war against Ukraine, despite having suffered more than 1.4 million military casualties.
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