US Intelligence: Putin likely to escalate assault in Ukraine

US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to remain undeterred and may further escalate the assault in Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has “produced a shock to the geopolitical order”, he continued, stating that Moscow underestimated the strength of Ukrainian resistance, while military action has also been plagued by problems including poor planning and morale issues.

The Russian and Ukrainian militaries have probably suffered thousands of casualties, Haines said, adding that recent nuclear posturing fromPutinis likely intended to deter the West from further helping Ukraine.

Putin is probably still confident that Russia can defeat Ukraine, he added, and with tensions so high, there is always the potential for unintended escalation in Ukraine.

Separately, CIA Director William Burns said on Tuesday that Putin is “determined to dominate and control Ukraine” and that he is angry, frustrated and likely to double down in Ukraine with no regard for casualties. Between 2,000 to 4,000 soldiers have been killed in the Ukraine conflict thus far, Burns added.