UK intelligence chief says Russian soldiers are low on morale and refusing to carry out orders

A delegation of Ukrainian lawmakers visiting Washington, DC, on Wednesday mentioned they consider Russia is simply utilizing peace talks with Ukraine as a “smokescreen” for his or her forces to regroup and re-strategize in Ukraine.

“Positively, I believe that Putin is utilizing this as a smokescreen, shopping for time to regroup … and sending false, mendacity messages to the entire world,” she mentioned.

“We really feel these usually are not actual peace talks at this level,” mentioned MP Anastasia Radina, who heads the parliament’s Committee on Anti-Corruption Coverage. “We really feel that what Russia is doing is attempting to save lots of face. They are saying they’re withdrawing troops from Kiev area. That’s not true for one easy cause. They’re not withdrawing. … They have been kicked (out).”

Radina mentioned there’s solely “a method out of the conflict, and that’s for Ukraine to win.”

Their remarks got here someday after the Russian Ministry of Protection mentioned that it had determined to “drastically scale back hostilities” round Kyiv and Chernihiv. US officers, together with President Joe Biden, stay skeptical of the announcement.

“We’ll see,” Biden mentioned on Tuesday when requested about Russia’s claims. “I don’t learn something into it till I see what their actions are. We’ll see in the event that they observe by way of on what they’re suggesting.”

Extra weapons wanted: Ukraine’s army is searching for overseas help acquiring reconnaissance and assault drones, tactical radars, digital warfare anti-drone programs and close-air help plane, in keeping with Ukraine’s most up-to-date listing of wants offered to Congress.

The listing delivered to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, which was obtained by CNN, additionally contains assist treating wounded troops and repairing tools, together with cell army medical hospitals, the repairs of armored autos in neighboring nations and plane to assist transport weapons.

Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, mentioned at a Home Armed Companies Committee listening to on Wednesday that newest the listing offered to Congress this week mirrored Ukrainian army and civilian management’s “pressing wants.” On the prime of the precedence listing of 17 objects was reconnaissance and assault drones, together with “switchblade” drones, that are small so-called kamikaze or suicide drones that carry a warhead and detonate on affect.

The listing additionally included fight plane — particularly referencing the Su-25, a Russian-made floor assault aircraft much like the US-made A-10 Warthog. The Ukrainian army can be searching for artillery programs, surface-to-air missile programs, anti-tank Javelin missiles, anti-ship missiles and optical surveillance tools.

The all-female Ukrainian delegation — males between the ages of 18-60 usually are not allowed to depart Ukraine amid the conflict — traveled to Washington this week primarily, they are saying, to ask American lawmakers and administration officers for extra army help, which they mentioned continues to be falling far in need of Ukraine’s wants.

“Correct motion for Ukraine proper now, for help to Ukraine proper now, can be weaponry,” Radina mentioned. “Ukraine is consistently asking for weaponry and never solely defensive weaponry, but in addition offensive weaponry. In our scenario, this distinction between defensive and offensive is, frankly talking, humiliating. In our scenario, all weapons are defensive as a result of we’re defending our lands.”

Radina reiterated that Ukraine wants fighter jets, “as a result of that is how we are able to really cease bombings. … And as of now that is the problem on the desk, and whereas it’s on the desk, folks will proceed struggling.”

“Our ‘humanitarian support’ is weapons,” mentioned MP Maria Ionova. “As a result of to attenuate these victims and casualties, we have now to defend our air. Freedom must be armed. And that’s the reason our foremost message right here is please, assist us to defend our future and the way forward for the democratic world.”

“Neutrality just isn’t an possibility for Ukraine”: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled that Ukraine is likely to be keen to forgo NATO membership and decide to neutrality if the West gives Ukraine with strong safety ensures. However such a transfer must be put to a referendum — and Klympush-Tsintsadze indicated that something in need of NATO membership ought to be rejected.

“Neutrality just isn’t an possibility for Ukraine,” she mentioned.

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