Defense Ministry Think Tank: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Likely To Be Prolonged
A Japanese Defense Ministry think tank says Russia likely launched its invasion of Ukraine without fully understanding the capabilities of Ukrainian forces.
The report compiled by the National Institute for Defense Studies concludes that Russia began the invasion because President Vladimir Putin was determined to annex Ukraine.
However, Russian forces underestimated Ukraine's military capabilities and their operations lacked sufficient preparation.
The report points out the invasion will likely be prolonged, and that the obvious war of aggression is uniting Ukraine and its partners.
The report notes that the United States actively employed strategic communication, by such means as revealing intelligence on Russia.
But the US will not deploy troops, it says, and there is no change in the policy of the administration of President Joe Biden, which prioritizes competition with China.
The report points out that although China did not foresee Russia's invasion of Ukraine, its cooperative ties with Russia will likely be maintained against a backdrop of tougher competition with the US.