As per a top US official, Putin may declare martial law in Russia
Key Takeaways:
- To promote his ambitions in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin may become "more unpredictable" and impose martial law in his home nation.
With Russia's aims in Ukraine still unmet and no end in sight to the ongoing invasion, a top American official cautioned on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin might become "more unpredictable" and declare martial law in his home country to further his aspirations in Ukraine.
"The current trend suggests that President Putin may resort to more harsh measures, such as declaring martial law. Furthermore, his objectives exceed Russia's military capabilities. This likely indicates that we'll be on a more uncertain and potentially escalatory path in the next months," said Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.
Putin, too, 'does not know his way out of the battle,' according to US President Joe Biden.
"Our opinion is that he is prepared for a prolonged struggle during which he still expects to achieve goals beyond southeast Ukraine's Donbas and establish a land bridge to Transnistria, the Moscow-controlled enclave in Moldova," Haines told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
She went on to say that the 69-year-old leader's choice to focus Russian forces on Donbas after they failed to capture Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, was "just a temporary change."
Furthermore, Haines' comments come when there has been renewed speculation that Putin is not doing well. His presence at Monday's annual Victory Parade in Moscow, spotted sitting with a blanket around his legs as the parade marched on, reignited health concerns.
The former spy was diagnosed with cancer in March, according to reports.
The Kremlin, in its turn, has disputed that the President is ill on numerous occasions.
Under Putin's command, Russian forces entered Ukraine on February 24 for a special military operation.' On the other hand, Russians have been unable to make significant inroads on their neighbor's land due to Kyiv's resolve—bolstered in no small part by Western assistance—and their limitations.