US spy: Russia faces ‘difficult fight’ to regain territory controlled by Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin will launch a counterattack to retake areas held by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, but Russian forces face a “difficult fight,” Deputy CIA Director David Cohen told an intelligence and national security conference on Wednesday, August 28. He added that the significance of the Ukrainian invasion that began on August 6 is still unclear, Reuters reports.

Ukraine claims to control more than 1,200 square kilometers of the Kursk region.

Although Kyiv has stated that it has no intention of annexing the area, Ukrainian troops are in the process of building defensive lines there and apparently intend to hold “part of this area for some time,” Cohen said.

“We can be sure that Putin will launch a counterattack to try to retake the area,” Cohen said.

“I think we can expect it to be a difficult fight for the Russians.”

He said Putin would have to deal not only with the fact that there is now a front line on Russian territory, but also with the public reaction to the fact that they have lost part of Russian territory.

Ukraine's success in Kursk “has the potential to advance the dynamics” of the conflict “a little bit,” he continued, without elaborating.

Ukraine claims to have captured 100 villages, but Russian forces are also advancing in the Donetsk region.

Cohen said Russia had achieved these successes “at enormous cost” in troops and equipment and “may” not be able to capture the key Ukrainian logistics city of Pokrovsk. “But ultimately none of this is strategically decisive,” he said.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the war with Russia could ultimately be ended through dialogue, but Kyiv must be in a strong position. He would present a plan to end the war to US President Joe Biden.

However, the Kremlin said on Wednesday that it would reject any plan by Zelensky. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said:

Russia will continue its “special military operation and achieve all its objectives.”

Peskov also said Russia supports India's view on the need for a peaceful solution, but it is “more than clear” that there is currently no basis for talks.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that he supported a quick and peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict, days after Modi held talks with Zelensky in Kyiv.

Meanwhile, NATO allies reaffirmed their determination to continue and strengthen Ukraine's defense in the face of recent attacks through increased military support at the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on Wednesday.

“Ukraine continues to intercept Russian missiles on a daily basis, saving countless lives. However, further supplies and support are needed for Ukraine to maintain its defences,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.

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