America
Putin preparing for a long war in Ukraine: US intel
Washington, May 11
Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a long war in Ukraine, with even victory in the east potentially not ending the conflict, US intelligence has warned.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told a US Senate committee hearing on Tuesday that Putin was still intending "to achieve goals beyond the Donbas", but that he "faces a mismatch between his ambitions and Russia's current conventional military capabilities", the BBC reported.
She added that the Russian leader was "probably" counting on US and European Union's support for Ukraine to weaken as inflation, food shortages and energy prices got worse.
However, Putin could turn to "more drastic means" as the war continues, although Moscow would only use nuclear weapons if he perceived an "existential threat" to Russia, Haines said.
Defence Intelligence Agency Director Scott Berrier told the same hearing that the Russians and the Ukrainians were "at a bit of a stalemate".
In the latest fighting, Ukraine claims to have recaptured four settlements in the north-eastern Kharkiv region.
Cherkasy Tyshky, Ruski Tyshky, Rubizhne and Bayrak were all snatched back from Russia, Ukraine's armed forces said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian successes were gradually pushing Russian forces out of Kharkiv, which has been bombarded since the war began.
But he said Ukrainians "should not create an atmosphere of excessive moral pressure, where victories are expected weekly and even daily".
1 hour ago
Dharmesh Patel's Fate Uncertain After Devil’s Slide Incident
1 hour ago
Composer Reena Esmail is welcomed by the Music Institute of Chicago
1 hour ago
PM Modi takes opposition to cleaners on EVMs, once again
1 hour ago
Tech entrepreneur's 18-month prison term handed down for securities and wire fraud
2 hours ago
Two advertisements for Susheela Jayapal's campaign are released.
2 hours ago
US report on human rights abuses is dismissed by India.
2 hours ago
Kim Kardashian: A Conversation with US Vice President kamala Harris on Criminal Justice Reform
4 hours ago
CBI recovers huge cache of arms, explosives from house of Shahjahan’s relative at Sandeshkhali
4 hours ago
Bengal LS polls: BJP's Raju Bista complains of violence at Chopra; 47.29 pc turnout till 1 pm
4 hours ago
Elon Musk’s AI company xAI to raise $6 billion: Report
4 hours ago
Anoushka Shankar to get honorary degree by Oxford University, calls it ‘pinch-me moment’
4 hours ago
Anuradha Paudwal praises ‘Superstar Singer 3’ contestant, says he ‘can be next hero voice’
4 hours ago
Amid rumours of split, source says Zendaya, Tom Holland have discussed marriage