Putin to Annex Two More Ukraine Regions After Mobilization – Bloomberg

The Kremlin has not abandoned its plans to annex more Ukrainian territories. Citing sources in the Kremlin, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, Sep. 27  that after the announced mobilization, the Russian command is planning to regain the initiative at the front and move deep into Ukrainian territory, capturing Kharkiv and Odesa.

The Kremlin is also convinced that Russia will be able to continue fighting, then announce negotiations and keep part of the occupied territories.

Despite the failure of the Russian army at the front, President Vladimir Putin has not given up his goal of annexing more regions and leaving Ukraine with only part of its pre-war territory.

“Russian officials are confident that their troops will be able to lead Ukraine into a dead end and achieve some kind of settlement that will confirm at least some of their achievements,” Bloomberg specified.

At the same time, an array of analysts feel that 300,000 unmotivated and untrained fighters will not be able to significantly change the situation on the battlefield beyond containing the Ukrainian offensive. So Putin will likely continue his gas and nuclear blackmail.

Numerous military analysts also believe that Putin’s decision to call up 300,000 reservists will likely prolong the war in Ukraine rather than affect its outcome. However, according to some media reports, the Kremlin plans to mobilize more than a million Russians.

Other Topics of Interest

NATO, Ukraine to Meet Tuesday Over Russian Missile Strike

Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Moscow had hit Ukraine using a new-generation intermediate-range missile -- which he hinted was capable of unleashing a nuclear payload.

At the same time, Ukraine promises to continue the counteroffensive and take back all its territories captured through Russian aggression.

Ukraine’s partners say they will not stop supporting the Ukrainians in their struggle, despite the Kremlin’s nuclear threats and gas blackmail.

Kyiv is urging its allies to increase the number of weapons in military assistance, including tanks, longer-range missiles, and combat aircraft. However, the U.S. and Europe are still wary of expanding the types of weapons supplied to Ukraine.

The full story can be read here.