NEW: U.S. intelligence assesses Putin is preparing for a 'prolonged conflict' in Ukraine that's likely to become 'more unpredictable and escalatory' due to a 'mismatch' between his ambitions and military capabilities.
Ukrainian forces conduct a training exercise on May 09 near Kryvyi Rih. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
"We assess President Putin is preparing for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine, during which he still intends to achieve goals beyond the Donbas," Haines said.Putin has at least four "near-term military objectives," according to the U.S. intelligence community: Encircle Ukraine's military west of the Donbas "in order to crush the most capable and well-equipped Ukrainian forces fighting to hold the line in the east."
The U.S. also sees "indications" that Russia wants to extend the land bridge further west to capture the historic port city of Odessa and connect with the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova, fully cutting Ukraine off from the sea.The U.S. views it as "increasingly unlikely" that Russia will be able to establish full control over the Donbas or extend the land bridge to Transnistria, especially without a broader mobilization of Russia's reservists.
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