On Tuesday, intelligence experts painted a picture of an increasingly determined Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinSudden Defense and National Security – More Troops Sending to Europe in Crisis On Money – Biden is facing pressure to ban Russian oil. Gas prices are rising as support for an oil ban grows in Russia. are ill-prepared for the implications for the Russian economy and have little chance of success in the long term.
“I think Putin is now angry and upset. He is likely to redouble his efforts and try to crush the Ukrainian army, ignoring civilian casualties,” CIA director William Burns said.
William BurnsNight Defense & Homeland Security – More Troops Deployed to Europe in Crisis Senators Say CIA Collects Massive Data as Part of Secret Program Intelligence Community: Pulsed Energy Device Most Likely Cause of ‘Havana Syndrome’ MORE Lawmakers Say at Intelligence Committee House of Representatives throughout the year around the world hears threats.
“But the problem he is facing, and this is the biggest question that has been hanging over our analysis of his planning for several months… is that he does not have a sustainable political goal in the face of what will continue to be fierce resistance from side of the Ukrainians. ”
Russia’s involvement in Ukraine has dominated the annual hearings designed to address the myriad of threats facing the US, bringing together a committee whose members have at times criticized the intelligence community while praising the five officials gathered before them.
“You were the link in the international community that brought together not only NATO, but also other important countries” rallied around the punishment of Russia, said Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Eric Michael Swalwell A judge has ruled that Trump should face civil lawsuits because Britney Spears was invited to Congress on Jan. 6 to discuss guardianship. Pelosi leads congressional delegations to Israel, Germany, and the UK.
Intelligence officials have pointed to Putin’s many miscalculations as Russia continues its devastating offensive into Ukraine.
Putin has been “boiling in a combustible mixture of discontent and ambition” for years, Burns said, and his inner circle of advisers has dwindled as he created “a system in which it is not proven that people doubt his career or challenge him to improve his career.” sentence”.
“So he went to war, I think based, Mr. Chairman, on a number of assumptions that led him to believe that Russia was facing a favorable situation for the use of force against Ukraine this winter,” he said.
“He was wrong on every count.”
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haynes
Avril Haynes Overnight Defense & Homeland Security – More Troops Heading To Europe Amid Crisis How Government Over-Secret Could Cover Up UFO Videos And Damage Our Security Surveillance Republicans Demand Afghan Withdrawal Documents MORE Said While Putin Was Expecting Sanctions, He Didn’t foresaw the extent to which the US, other countries, and private companies “would undermine his ability to moderate the actions of the West.”
“In our estimation, Putin feels resentful that the West does not show him the respect he deserves and perceives this as a war he cannot afford to lose, but what he may take for victory may change over time, given the significant the costs he bears,” she said. said.
“However, our analysts believe that Putin is unlikely to be deterred by such setbacks and may instead escalate, effectively doubling down on his efforts,” Haynes said.
Officials told lawmakers that Russia had already suffered between 2,000 and 4,000 casualties nearly two weeks before the start of the war.
Moscow also blew up dozens of schools and hospitals, which one official said could meet the criteria for war crimes.
“I don’t know if we have direct evidence other than what we have seen on social media. Certainly, the bombing of schools and installations not associated with the Ukrainian military will indicate to me that he is moving straight to the front line, if he has not already done so, ”said Scott Berrier, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Burns said part of Russia’s resistance strength is based on Putin’s past aggressive actions in Ukraine.
“In many ways, it was Putin’s aggression in Crimea in 2014 that created the strong sense of Ukrainian statehood and sovereignty that he faces today,” Burns said.
But he added that the Russian public is likely to remain in the dark about the problems and huge losses suffered during the invasion, given the reports of Russian state media and increased censorship of independent sources of information.
“They will keep trying to spin it up and create a false story,” Burns said, pointing to Russia’s false claims that Ukraine is using chemical weapons.
“It just gives you an idea of what they could easily try to fabricate or use in the future, especially as they become more and more desperate,” he added.
“I think it will take time for people to realize the consequences of the choice he made personally,” he said, noting that Russia also arrested between 13,000 and 14,000 anti-war demonstrators at home.
Intelligence officials also faced questions about US preparedness for a potential flurry of Russian cyberattacks.
Congressman Marquain Mullin
Marquain Mullin The Hill’s Morning Report – What’s Next for the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict? Inhofe’s Retirement to Provoke Intense Fight in Oklahoma Congress Needs to Tackle Social Determinants of Health countering Russian cyberattacks.
Ray said the bureau was taking both approaches, but was quickly interrupted by Mullin, who said it couldn’t take both approaches.
“You can’t really avoid risk and at the same time be proactive, because if you’re not risk-averse, you’re afraid to do anything because you don’t want to make things worse,” Mullin said.
“Since the threat has already come to us, it seems to me that we should change our approach to being very active and saying: “Listen, we have the tools, if you come after us, we will hit you back,” he said. is he. he added. Are we in that area?
Ray said the bureau has made efforts to harass adversaries through a variety of means, including cybernetic ones.
Lawmakers have also expressed impatience that the US will go after wealthy Russians with significant US assets.
“Are we going to take over some yachts? I mean, it sounds great. Will we see some things slip out of their hands?” Rep. Sean Maloney asked.
Sean Patrick Maloney Progressives Strike Back After Moderates Target Pelosi Entire New York Democratic Party Delegation Now Calls for Cuomo’s Resign Memorandum: Democrats Unhappy With Whether Trump’s Absence Helps Party MORE (DN.Y.).
“Anything we can legally confiscate, we’re going to prosecute,” Ray replied.
The Worldwide Threats Report, released in conjunction with the hearings, addresses a broader range of threats facing the US, including climate change, migration and global terrorism.
He also delved into other countries that pose a challenge to the US, including China, Iran, and North Korea.
While many are concerned about the possibility of a Russian cyberattack, the report warns that China “poses the largest, most active, and persistent cyber-espionage threat to U.S. government and private sector networks,” including those that could disrupt critical U.S. infrastructures such as oil and gas industry.