Vladimir Putin reportedly has an ‘end date’ to his violent invasion of Ukraine in mind, according to Kyiv officials.
Claims made by Ukrainian soldiers detail how Russia has an ideal date to bring this war to an end, and it’s the same day it celebrates its WWII victory.
If these claims are true, it would mean that Russian officials will be looking at May 9 as the day to end the invasion.
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This date marks the country’s victory over the Nazis, more than 70 years ago in 1945.
The general staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine told the Kyiv Independent that their intelligence suggested Putin wanted the war to end by this date.
The claim was later reported by another Russian news outlet, Pravda News.
They quoted a source, saying: "According to the available information, there is an ongoing propaganda campaign among the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation which seeks to impose the idea that the war has to end by May 9, 2022.
“Despite significant losses and demoralised personnel, the military and political authorities of the Russian Federation are still not rejecting the possibility of continuing to wage the war against Ukraine.
“Violating the rules of war, the occupying troops are destroying the infrastructure of peaceful cities and villages.
“Most medical establishments located on the Russian side of the border with Ukraine, near the border, are occupied by wounded soldiers of the Russian army.
“Russian troops are also attempting to restore the combat capabilities of its airborne troops.”
Victory Day is one of Russia’s biggest holidays and sees a number of schools and businesses close and military parades are held across the country.
Russian president Vladimir Putin continues to claim his invasion of Ukraine is a “denazification” of the country, despite no evidence to prove so.
The news comes as Russia’s invasion continues into its second month.
What was reportedly intended to be a ‘lightning invasion’ western intelligence claimed, where Russia thought at first it could take Ukraine and Kyiv in a matter of days continues to stretch on.
There were reports Russian soldiers expected to be welcomed with open arms as they entered Ukraine.
But instead they were met with fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces that continued to stall Russian forces.
This morning, the British Ministry of Defence reported that Ukraine counter-attacks had retaken a number of towns and defensive positions east of Kyiv.
They retook ground 21 miles east of the capital and the British MoD also said that they now may be pushed ahead to try and retake Hostomel Airfield.
However, instead of deposing Volodymyr Zelensky ’s government, Moscow now finds itself negotiating with it.
In the latest intelligence update, posted on Twitter, the British MoD highlighted specific Russian failings, a common theme of this invasion.
The Russian troops had overextended their supply lines it said, which left it vulnerable.
This has reportedly been an issue previously as Russia expected fighting to last days, and was unprepared for the prolonged conflict it now finds itself in.
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