24 tháng 2 2022
US Defense Official: Russians are making a move on Kyiv, assualts are designed to take main population centres
According to a senior US defense official, the Russians are making a move on Kyiv, with their assaults thus far aimed at taking Ukraine's main population centres, reported Reuters.
Additional Remarks:
- Russian action on Ukraine is an initial phase of a large-scale invasion.
- The US has seen Russian forces advance on three main axes of assault.
- One main axis is from Belarus to Kyiv.
- Russians have every intention of basically decapitating the Ukrainian government.
- More than 100 Russian launched missiles were used in the onslaught.
- Cruise, surface-to-air and sea-launched missiles were all used by the Russians.
- The United States hasn't seen Russian forces move into the western part of Ukraine, but this is still the initial phase of the attack.
- Russian targets thus far focused primarily on military and defense objectives, including 10 airfields.
- The US does not have a good sense of casualties.
- Russia used about 75 aircraft in the attack, though there were no indications of any amphibious assaults yet by Russian forces in Ukraine.
- The US does not believe the full scope of Russian electronic warfare capabilities have come into play, "and they may yet".
- US troops remain outside of Ukraine and continue to be postured to reassure allies.
- The US has seen indications that Ukraine is resisting and fighting back.