Page 53 - RusRPTJul24

Russia will take over a year to achieve its goals: Russia is continuing the offensive it began in the Donbas region back in October 2023, attacking on several fronts simultaneously. Near the city of Avdiivka, where the Russian command launched its main assault and deployed the most troops, Russian forces have advanced 15–20 kilometers (9–12.5 miles) in the past eight months. About 7-10 kilometers (4-6 miles) of that progress has been made since February, when Avdiivka was captured. In May, Russia opened a new front near Kharkiv and managed to move seven to eight kilometers (a little under five miles) into Ukrainian territory in just a few days. But Russia’s advance has been even slower and more modest in other sectors. If the offensive were to keep its current pace (which isn’t guaranteed), capturing the Donetsk region alone could take Russia a year or more. Accelerating the pace of operations would require significantly increasing the Russian army’s numerical advantage over Ukraine — but another round of mobilization and a rise in casualty rates aren’t appealing options for Putin.
Russia is open for negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict settlement, but they can be initiated only after the present-day territorial realities are recognized, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told TASS on Wednesday. “Russia is open to holding a dialogue on Ukraine based on the consideration of our interests,” he said in an interview with TASS. “Our position regarding a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of the crisis remains unaltered.” “In order for this to happen, first of all, its original causes must be addressed and modern geopolitical and territorial realities must be recognized,” he continued. “The West must stop pumping up the Ukrainian military with weapons and the Kyiv regime must put an end to its military activities.”
NATO has 2-3 years to prepare for reconstituted Russian army, top Norwegian general says. "At one point someone said it'll take 10 years (before Russia reconstitutes its offensive capacity), but I think we're back to less than 10 years because of the industrial base that is now running in Russia," said General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway's top general.
U.S. Defense Officials have now Clarified the Extent on President Biden’s Lifted Ban on U.S-Provided Weapons being utilized against Russian Territory as well as some of the Limitations which will remain for Ukraine. Firstly, the Ban is only Lifted for Ukrainian Forces in the Kharkiv Region against Russian Forces in the Belgorod Region; Ukrainian Forces will only be allowed to utilize Artillery as well as Guided-Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), which include M142 HIMARS, for these Strikes, which can Target any Russian Command and Control, Logistics, Troop Gathering, Artillery, and Missile Sites. The MGM-140 ATACMS both Long-Range and other Variants will still be Prohibited from being used against Russian Territory, with Russian Aircraft on the Ground and several other Specific Sites also still Prohibited from being Struck using any kind of U.S-Provided Weapons.
53 RUSSIA Country Report July 2024 www.intellinews.com