Failed objectives likely the reason putin has yet to comment year of full-scale war – ISW

The kremlin has not commented on the anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine because the russian army failed to achieve any of its stated goals during the so-called "special operation."

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report suggested on Feb. 24 that the Kremlin did not comment on the first anniversary of its full-scale war likely because it "failed to achieve any of its stated objectives and has not made significant territorial gains since July 2022."

russian president vladimir putin and his administration have not made any statements regarding this anniversary. Although, during the last three days, he repeatedly spoke in public.

It should be noted that the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of russia, dmitry medvedev, made provocative statements that russia would win the war.

He also added that it was vital for russia to "move the borders that threaten (russia – ed.) as far as possible, even if they are the borders of Poland."

"medvedev's statements underscore that the kremlin continues pursuing its unrealistic maximalist goals. Even though he cannot offer the russian people any significant success after a year of costly war in Ukraine," the institute's report emphasized.

Analysts suggest that russian officials are likely to seek support from Chinese defense manufacturers, probably due to the restrictions that international sanctions regimes have imposed on the russian defense industry.

Experts recall that the UK government and the US Treasury announced on February 24 new sanctions and export ban measures aimed at industries, organizations, and individuals that,t support russia's military capabilities.

In addition, analysts emphasize that on February 24, the governments of Western countries made various statements regarding the provision of military aid to Ukraine.

Experts also note that the kremlin has strengthened informational preparation for a possible operation under a foreign flag in russian-occupied Transnistria (Moldova).

Some russian media bloggers have reinforced the kremlin's rhetoric, claiming that the situation along the Ukrainian-Transnistrian border is becoming increasingly tense, experts note.

It also should be noted that on February 24, Moldovan officials continued to deny the russian statements, characterizing them as "aggressive disinformation" or "psychological operation."

Key takeaways for February 24 from ISW:

• A russian source used China's release of a 12-point "peace plan" to falsely portray China as a country that supports russia's war in Ukraine.
• US intelligence continues to believe that China is seriously considering the possibility of providing lethal aid to russia amid ongoing pressure from Western sanctions regimes on russia's defense and industrial base.
• On February 24, the governments of Western countries made various statements regarding the provision of military aid to Ukraine.
• The kremlin has strengthened informational preparation for a possible operation under a foreign flag in occupied Transnistria (Moldova).
• The occupying forces continued ground attacks northwest of the city of Svatove and near Kreminna.
• russian sources confirmed that russian troops separated particular formations of airborne forces on at least two lines of attack.
• The invaders made minor territorial gains around the city of Bakhmut and continued ground attacks along the entire front line in the Donetsk region.
• Ukrainian officials assume that russian troops may feel unprotected on the eastern (left) bank of the Kherson region.
• The authorities of the russian federation continue measures to increase the number of russian peacekeepers.

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China releases so-called "peace plan" for russia's war in Ukraine