Vladimir Putin and his inner circle at the Kremlin are aware they've made a significant "miscalculation" in Ukraine, leading to a "gloomy" mood within the Russian government, according to Putin's former speechwriter, who spoke to the Daily Express.
While Russian forces initially made progress in the Kharkiv region, recent reports suggest that Ukrainian troops are now effectively holding them back.
Abbas Gallyamov, who served as Putin's aide from 2008 to 2012, indicates that the Kremlin is worried about the possibility of their soldiers failing to secure a victory.
He told the Daily Express, "Politically, it's further proof to the already exhausted Russian public that success is distant, and Ukraine is defending itself effectively. When an offensive stalls, it's challenging to convince people that you're winning. Now, the authorities are trying to claim that they never intended to capture Kharkiv, only to create a buffer zone. There is considerable discussion among Russian officials about how to resolve the situation.
"Most Russians don't trust the authorities but aren't yet ready to express their dissatisfaction publicly, knowing they'd face punishment."
Gallyamov added that although the Russian government is concerned, it hasn't reached a state of panic.
He continued, "The Kremlin's strategic outlook is quite bleak. Their forces are nearing exhaustion, and the West remains steadfast. They realize 'we've made a significant miscalculation.' It's gloomy, but not panic-stricken. They panicked back in the summer of 2022 when the Russian army proved weaker than anticipated.
They overcame the Ukrainian offensive and the Prigozhin mutiny, so they're not in a panic now. They don't see a clear way out and recognize the situation is worsening, but it won't implode tomorrow. They are focused on immediate concerns rather than long-term strategy because there isn't one."
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Russia's offensive near Kharkiv had failed.
He stated, "A very significant result is that the Russian army failed. The direction is strengthened. And it will be strengthened more."
Julian Röpcke, an open data analyst with the publication Bild, shared footage last week showing Russian soldiers surrendering in Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast. He posted on X: "Russian soldiers seem to surrender in N-E #Vovchansk. This is around 600 meters north of what Russian sources claim to be the current front line. So Russia seems to be losing ground there.
"Ukrainian troops have re-re-recaptured several areas in N-E #Vovchansk, utilizing reinforcements via a German-supplied 'Biber' bridge-laying vehicle. Russian invasion forces have advanced further southwest to the center and are now around 400 meters from the destroyed Vovcha bridge."
The way out for Putin's Russian in Ukraine is Backwards.
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