Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu a deadline of October to stop the counteroffensive of the armed forces of Ukraine, reports HEI citing an insider source.
"Putin allegedly gave Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu a deadline of one month until the beginning of October 2023 to improve the situation at the front, stop Ukrainian counteroffensives and return the initiative to the Russian troops," the report says.
Analysts believe that the Russian military command may order continuous counterattacks to force the Ukrainian counteroffensive to reach a climax, even at a high cost to Russian military capabilities.
The ISW analytical report mentions that Putin first acknowledged the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive on June 9, emphasizing two key and persistent narratives: that Ukrainian forces would not make significant gains due to well-prepared Russian defenses, and that Ukrainian forces would suffer heavy losses of personnel and Western military equipment.
"Putin and the Kremlin present Russian defense operations as a major victory on the battlefield, and constant Russian counterattacks allow the Kremlin to claim that these operations are isolated victories against the background of a general lack of Russian success elsewhere on the front," the report says.
Analysts suggest that these efforts are likely aimed at undermining support and confidence in Ukrainian forces in Ukraine and in the West.
"Putin may have ordered the Russian military command to hold all initial defensive positions to create the illusion that Ukrainian counteroffensives have achieved no tactical or operational effect, despite significant Western support. However, this information campaign can be successful in the long term only if Russian troops can actually prevent Ukrainian forces from breaking through and liberating large areas," ISW notes.
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