UK: Russia to adopt ‘strategy of attrition’ as operation in Ukraine falters

London, Mar 19 (EFE).- The Russian army has been “forced to change its operational approach” in Ukraine and is now pursuing a “strategy of attrition”, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense warned on Saturday.

According to the UK’s latest defense intelligence update, “the Kremlin has so far failed to achieve its original objectives.”

The ministry added that Moscow had been surprised by the “scale and ferocity of Ukrainian resistance.”

As Russian forces adopt a strategy of attrition the “indiscriminate use of firepower” is likely “resulting in increased civilian casualties” and “destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure” which will deepen the humanitarian crisis the war has triggered.

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has reinforced his control over Russian domestic media. The Kremlin is attempting to control the narrative, detract from operational problems and obscure the high Russian casualty numbers from the Russian people”, the report added.

In Thursday’s defense intelligence update, the UK ministry said Russian forces had “largely stalled on all fronts” in Ukraine. EFE

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