The United States expects Russian troops to try to encircle Kyiv in the coming days and could become more aggressive out of frustration with their slow advance in the Ukrainian capital. This was revealed by a senior US defense official, Monday (28/2/2022).
Citing Reuters, air raid sirens blared through mostly empty streets in Kyiv on Monday. The siren warned of another possible missile strike by Russia as the city braced for even worse fighting to come as Russian troops approached.
"We predict they will continue to advance and try to encircle the city in the coming days," the official said, adding that Russian troops were about 25 km (16 miles) from downtown Kyiv.
US officials believe that Ukraine's fierce resistance has slowed the advance of Russian troops and planning failures have left some Russian units without fuel or other supplies.
"One of the things that could happen is a re-evaluation of their tactics and their potential to be more aggressive and more open, both in the size and scale of their targeting in Kyiv," the official told reporters.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity and provided no evidence, said the United States had not seen this happen but was concerned about it.
Russian forces, entering the fifth day of the invasion of Ukraine, have fired about 380 missiles at Ukrainian targets, the official said.
In addition, President Vladimir Putin has deployed nearly 75% of his pre-stage combat force to Ukraine.
The official said there was no indication that Belarusian troops were in Ukraine, moving in that direction or preparing to move to Ukraine.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said last week that troops from his ex-Soviet country could take part in Russia's military operations against Ukraine if needed.
The official added that the United States had seen some signals that private military contractors from the Wagner Group could engage in Ukraine to support Russian forces.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group, accusing it of carrying out clandestine operations for the Kremlin.
Putin has said earlier that the group does not represent the Russian state, but that private military contractors have the right to work anywhere in the world as long as they do not violate Russian laws.
