Estonian intelligence chief says no signs war in Ukraine moving toward peace

The head of the Estonian Defence Forces’ Intelligence Centre, Col. Ants Kiviselg, said there is no indication that the war in Ukraine is any closer to a peaceful resolution than a month ago, despite ongoing discussion of US and EU peace proposals.

Speaking at a weekly Ministry of Defence press briefing on November 28, Kiviselg reviewed recent developments on the battlefield, Caliber.Az reports via ERR. 

"At the same time, there is absolutely no indication from the aggression on Ukrainian territory that we are any closer to peace than we were a month ago," he said.

He said Russia continues daily airstrikes targeting civilian infrastructure in an effort to worsen conditions during the winter and pressure Ukrainian front-line units. At the same time, he noted Ukrainian forces have carried out deep drone strikes inside Russia, including on the Shatura thermal power plant in the Moscow region and on aircraft repair and drone production facilities in Taganrog.

According to Kiviselg, "successful attacks on such facilities are even more damaging to the Russian Air Force than disabling one or two individual aircraft."

He said heavy fighting continues along the front, estimating Russian losses in November at an average of 350 soldiers killed per day — roughly 10,500 over the month — with total casualties around 30,000 when including wounded personnel. Russia, he added, captured about 430 square kilometres during the month, which he said equates to "22 soldiers killed per square kilometre."

Kiviselg reported no significant territorial gains by Russia over the past week. Ukrainian forces continue to hold parts of Pokrovsk and conduct counterattacks, while Kupiansk and Huliaipole remain under pressure but have not fallen.

He also noted recent Russian airspace violations, saying that on November 24–25, two Russian drones entered Romanian airspace and six entered Moldovan airspace.

"This continues to demonstrate the Russian Federation's disregard for its neighbours," he said.

By Sabina Mammadli