Secret NATO report: Putin goal unattainable?
Russia may need much longer to take Donbass
Created: 2022-04-21Updated: 2022-04-21, 8:25 p.m
By: Linus Prien
Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu © Kremlin Pool/Imago
Russia focuses on eastern Ukraine.
According to a secret NATO report, the troops will need at least four weeks to take Donbass.
According to a confidential NATO situation report, Russian troops will need at least four more weeks to take over the Donbass region in the escalating Ukraine conflict.
According to information from
Business Insider
, according to the NATO assessment, it is unlikely that the Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin will be able to achieve his goals in eastern Ukraine by May 9.
The capture of the eastern Ukrainian port of Mariupol, which Russia announced, could not be confirmed at first.
Ukraine war: Russia reportedly needs at least four weeks to take Donbass
In recent days, Russia has intensified its efforts to capture the Donbass region around Luhansk and Donetsk.
Pro-Russian separatist groups that have proclaimed independent “people's republics” are based in both cities.
The region is currently highly contested and, according to experts, is likely to become the scene of a major Russian offensive.
Nevertheless, the Russian troops should need at least four weeks to take the areas, as
Business Insider
found in a secret NATO document.
That same one contained the following wording: "However, Russian forces may need at least four weeks to expand their territorial control over two Ukrainian regions in the Donbass."
War in Ukraine: Why Putin has to show something by May 9th
American military expert Ben Hodges
told ZDF: “May 9th is an important day that the Russians call Victory Day.
They then hold a big parade in Red Square every year.
So rest assured that immense pressure is being put on the General Staff to achieve victory in time for May 9th.
And that's why they decided to focus specifically on Mariupol and the rest of the Donbass so that they can show some kind of victory.”
If NATO's current assessment turns out to be true, it would pose a problem for the Kremlin.
NATO experts are said to doubt the effectiveness of Russian troops.
The situation report is said to say: "Reinforcements are unlikely to significantly increase combat effectiveness."
War in Ukraine: Russia announces control of Mariupol
According to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, the Russian military has taken control of the embattled port city of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine.
This was announced by Shoigu on Thursday at a meeting with Vladimir Putin that was broadcast on state television.
"The remaining Ukrainian combat units entrenched themselves in the industrial area of the Azovstal factory," Shoigu said.
However, Business Insider
reported that this information could not be confirmed, citing German government circles.
(lp/dpa)