According to the three unnamed officials, Moscow’s goal is to encircle, coerce or destroy Ukrainian forces.
Kyiv is expected to fall in 96 hours (4 days) after which the capital will be followed by the Ukrainian leadership in at least a week.
The occupation of the Ukrainian government and military facilities, as well as strategic points such as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, appears to be only the preliminary stage for a more comprehensive ground offensive.
According to a former US intelligence officer, Kyiv could fall in a few days. The army will probably last longer, but it won’t last long either.
According to the former officer, the next steps will be determined by the extent to which US President Joe Biden will be able and willing to risk further provocation by Moscow in support of a possible Ukrainian partisan resistance.
It’s largely up to Biden, whether a strong uprising comes or not
– Tell.
One Volodymyr Zelensky A source close to the Ukrainian president agrees that Kyiv will fall within 96 hours, but believes that Zelensky’s government will not collapse.
Asked by Newsweek if the government was confident it would prevent a possible Russian blockade, the source said it would be too early to know, but said The leadership says Ukraine is keeping better than expected.
An anonymous official did not believe that expectations about Kiev’s rapid fall were realistic, but added:
The first 24 hours are the most important.
Russian forces captured Hostomil International Airport near Kyiv in a major helicopter battle. However, the fight continued, and They will be decisivewhere the airport, located 15 kilometers from Kyiv, could be a starting point for the occupation of the capital.
Cover image source: Getty Images
