US intelligence leak: war in Ukraine could become protracted
This is evidenced by secret documents of the US Department of Defense leaked online, which were reviewed by Reuters.
It is noted that one of the documents, dated February 23, 2023, states that Russia is unlikely to be able to capture Donbas this year, despite significant efforts.
"Russia's campaign of attrition in the Donbas is likely approaching a stalemate that is preventing Moscow from achieving its goal of taking over the entire region in 2023," the assessment says above a classified map of Russian positions.
In view of this, the armed confrontation may drag on beyond 2023.
"These tactics have diminished Russian forces and munitions stockpiles to a level that, barring an unforeseen recovery, could exhaust Russian units and frustrate Moscow's war aims, resulting in a prolonged war beyond 2023," the document states.
It should be noted that the authenticity of this leak has not yet been established and Reuters has not been able to independently verify the information provided.
Last week, The New York Times reported that the Pentagon is investigating the leak of classified documents on social media concerning US and NATO plans for a planned counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the President’s Office, said that the publication of the alleged documents on Ukraine's counteroffensive was a Russian bluff.
The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the leaked documents.
