Speaking to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haynes said Russia was probably not looking for a conflict with the United States and NATO, but a war against the United States. Ukraine poses a “great risk”.
There is a “real possibility” that Russia’s military setbacks in Ukraine will damage Russian President Vladimir Putin’s credibility in the country, Haynes said, making escalation more likely.
Haynes called the war in Ukraine “debilitating and protracted,” adding that US intelligence believes Russia will not be able to rebuild its military strength enough this year to make major territorial gains.
According to Haynes, Russia suffered heavy losses on the battlefield.
“Putin is probably well aware of the limits of what his military can achieve and seems to be focusing on more modest military objectives for now,” Haynes said. “If Russia does not (another)…mobilize and secure a significant supply of ammunition…then it will become increasingly difficult for her to maintain even the current level of offensive operations.
According to Haynes, despite his problems, “Putin most likely thinks that time is on his side and that prolonging the war, including possible pauses in hostilities, may be the best option for him…even if it takes years”.
As the Intelligence Committee held its annual hearing on threats to US national security, intelligence agencies released a report noting that China would continue to cooperate with Russia in an attempt to challenge the United States, despite international concerns about the invasion of Ukraine.
The report focuses on threats from China and Russia. He points out that China will continue to use military and other means to drive out its rivals in the South China Sea, including further crossings of the Taiwan Straits or missile overflights over Taiwan.
“It goes without saying that the People’s Republic of China, which increasingly challenges the United States economically, technologically, politically and militarily around the world, remains our unprecedented priority,” Haynes said during a Senate hearing.
