Russia Claims Ability to Capture Donetsk by Year’s End Amid Replacement Shortfalls

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) at the National Security and Defense Council, has made a public statement regarding Russia’s military activities in the Donetsk region. Kovalenko asserts that Russia is misleading Western allies about its progress and capabilities in the area. Specifically, he claims that while Russia is attempting to portray itself as having the capacity to take full control of the Donetsk region by the end of this year, it is actually failing to replace its losses in the region. This failure to replenish its military resources is a significant issue, as it highlights the challenges Russia faces in maintaining its operations in the area. This information was revealed to the public through the CCD, which has been actively involved in countering disinformation efforts on behalf of Ukraine. The CCD’s findings are based on internal assessments of the war’s development, as well as insights from on-the-ground analysts and reconnaissance data. According to Kovalenko, the discrepancies between Russia’s reported progress and the actual situation on the ground are stark. The CCD has been working closely with other intelligence bodies to verify the accuracy of these claims. This has led to increased scrutiny of Russia’s military capabilities and its ability to sustain prolonged operations. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its allies continue to monitor the situation closely, with the potential for further developments in the conflict. The CCD’s findings are likely to influence the stance of Western allies as they assess the situation on the ground and formulate their responses to Russia’s actions in the region.