Intelligence information from the Kremlin has been leaked.
Russia plans to capture the entirety of Luhansk and Donetsk by the end of next year.
At the same time, there are more far-reaching plans to seize large parts of Ukraine in the coming years, using false peace negotiations in the process.
It is reported that they are prepared to sacrifice a hundred thousand soldiers per year in a prolonged war, where they also hope for decreased Western support.
This is according to intelligence information from the Kremlin that the German newspaper Bild has obtained.
The Next Two Years
Over the next two years, Russia hopes to occupy Ukrainian territories beyond the four already occupied territories.
They aim to accomplish this by 2026 at the latest.
"Russia is also said to be planning to take large parts of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv oblasts, including Kharkiv if possible, in 2025 and 2026. BILD reported that an insider source stated that Russia plans to occupy large parts of eastern Ukraine east of the Dnipro River within the next 36 months," emphasizes the Institute for the Study of War.
Sacrificing Hundreds of Thousands
Russia bases its plans on sacrificing hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the coming years, hoping for decreased support for Ukraine from the Western world.
"BILD states that Russia's plans are based on mobilizing Russia's defense industrial base, suffering annual losses of about 100,000 soldiers in offensive operations, and benefiting from the possible election of a U.S. president in 2024 who dramatically reduces or stops military support to Ukraine," continues ISW.
False Negotiations
At the same time, sources state that there is an intention to rely on false negotiations with Ukraine while continuing offensive initiatives.
According to new assessments from the institute, a collapse in Western support appears to potentially lead to extensive Russian successes in Ukraine.
