Putin plots Russia’s war of attrition against Ukraine amid manpower challenges

Bolstered by a new six-year term in power and attempting to blame Kyiv for Russia’s worst terror attack in two decades, Putin’s committed to pursue his war goals

With Russia short of manpower, and Ukraine struggling to supply forces with munitions, there’s no sign either side can bring an end to the war any time soon

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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Pool/AFP

Published: 10:08pm, 3 Apr 2024Updated: 12:12am, 4 Apr 2024

President Vladimir Putin is determined to grind Ukraine into submission, betting he can outlast Kyiv’s Western backers and claim victory on the battlefield even as Russian troops make only halting progress.

Bolstered by a new six-year term in power and attempting to blame Kyiv for Russia’s worst terror attack in two decades, Putin’s committed to pursue his war goals after a tentative diplomatic outreach to the US late last year came to nothing, said four people familiar with the Kremlin’s military strategy.

US officials have said they saw no indication the Russian president was serious late last year about looking for a way to end the fighting, and have rejected the idea of ceasefire talks without Ukraine.

“Putin’s likely to escalate now,” said Alexei Mukhin, head of the Moscow-based Center for Political Information, which provides consultancy services for the presidential administration. “His goal is victory.”

With Russia far short of the manpower needed for a decisive breakthrough, and Ukraine struggling to supply its forces with munitions, there’s no sign either side can compel an end to the fighting any time soon.