Kremlin talking again about an attack on Kyiv - Russian media

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - FRIDAY, 27 MAY 2022, 18:07

The Kremlin is once again discussing a possible assault on Kyiv and is still hoping for a full-scale victory in the war against Ukraine.

Source: the Russian website Meduza, citing two sources close to the Kremlin and one directly in the Russian presidential administration

Quote: According to Meduza’s sources, despite the fact that the Russian army’s performance does not match up to Moscow's original plans, the Kremlin is once again discussing a possible assault on Kyiv and even hopes for a fully-fledged victory in the war.

Within the domestic political bloc of the Russian presidential administration - against the background of the advance of Russian troops in the Donbas - there was hope again that Moscow could "bring the war in Ukraine to victory" in a few months.

Details: According to Meduza, the Kremlin considers the capture of the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts by Russian troops to be the "minimum programme" for the "declaration of victory" at the end of May 2022.

The "maximum programme" is still defined as taking control of Kyiv. According to Meduza's sources in the Kremlin, Russia's top leadership has not abandoned this goal.

"We will still break them [the Ukrainians]. Most likely, everything will be over by autumn", one source said.

Meduza's sources say such sentiments have spread not only in the Kremlin, but also in the leadership of the United Russia party.

Meduza’s contacts do not know how top officials in Russia’s Defence Ministry currently rate the prospects of an attack on Kyiv. Earlier, Meduza reported that the Russian military leadership had finally accepted as long ago as late March that it was not possible for Kiev to be taken with "little bloodshed", i.e. the forces that were already involved in the so-called "special operation".

Meduza's sources point out that in this sense, the Russian leadership still has room for manoeuvre: for example, conscripts can be sent to the war en masse.

"So far it’s mostly professional soldiers who are fighting. There are enough of them for slow progress [through Ukraine]. But if you need to move faster, you can use conscripts. It's still an army", said a source close to the President’s administration.

However, the source added that a general mobilisation in Russia should not be expected: the Kremlin is afraid to take such a step, as it could hit the popularity of the government and Putin personally.

In addition, the Kremlin doubts that Western countries will continue to support Ukraine on a large scale with finances and weapons if the war drags on.

"Sooner or later, Europe will get tired of helping - it's money, and manufacturing weapons which they need themselves. Nearer the autumn, it will be necessary to come to an agreement [with Russia] on gas and oil before the heating season starts", said one of the sources.

Previously: On 11 May, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that Russia later plans to capture Kyiv, create a new state entity, and incorporate it within the Russian Federation.