The Russian president is thought to be notably more optimistic than he was a year ago, buoyed by the US Congress's failure to approve $60bn (£48bn) in additional military aid for Kyiv and his army's limited recent successes on the battlefield in capturing the city of Avdiivka.
"We do not believe Russia has given up on its maximalist goals of subjugating Ukraine," officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity, a day after Putin told his defence minister to continue attacking following the costly victory.
The Russian leader told Sergei Shoigu "to build on" the capture of Avdiivka, which fell at the weekend following a four-month battle during which Ukraine's ammunition ran short after US supplies dried up. Experts estimate that Russia is outshelling Ukraine by a ratio of five to one across the frontlines.
This story is from the February 22, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the February 22, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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