ISW names goals of Russia's war in Ukraine

The Kremlin does not consider recent Russian gains in Luhansk Oblast sufficient to accomplish the initial goals of the "special operation,” and it has significant territorial aspirations beyond the Donbas.

Caliber.Az reports referring to the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on July 5. 

Key Takeaways of the ISW:

- Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev restated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initial objectives for operations in Ukraine, suggesting that the Kremlin retains maximalist objectives including regime change and territorial expansion far beyond the Donbas.

- Russian forces continued offensive operations northwest and east of Slovyansk.

- Russian forces are attempting to advance west of the Lysychansk area toward Siversk.

- Russian forces are likely attempting to gain access to village roads southeast of Bakhmut in order to advance on the city from the south.

- Ukrainian forces conducted a limited counterattack southwest of Donetsk City.

- Russian forces continued limited and unsuccessful assaults in northern Kharkiv Oblast.

- Russian authorities are conducting escalated conscription measures in occupied territories to compensate for continuing manpower losses.

- Russian authorities are continuing to consolidate administrative control of occupied areas of Ukraine, likely to set conditions for the direct annexation of these territories to the Russian Federation.

As previously reported, Putin has been preparing for war with Ukraine for at least a year. Therefore, the Russian president will be able to wage war "for a long time."

Ukrainian intelligence is sure that the end of the war with Russia will be Ukraine's return to its borders in 1991, and this could happen as early as next year.