German intelligence sees no signs of weakening PutinGerman intelligence sees no signs of weakening Putin

Internal criticism of the war in Ukraine does not threaten the Russian government, which has enough soldiers and equipment to pursue the conflict, says head of Germany’s Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Fifteen months since the start of the war in Ukraine, there are no signs of a weakening of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose regime remains stable, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (BND), Germany’s foreign intelligence service, has pointed out.

“We see no fissures in Putin’s system,” BND head Bruno Kahl said on Monday (5/22).

Kahl said that despite isolated criticism in Russia of the conduct of the war in the neighboring country – concerning the supply of ammunition, for example – there are no indications that Putin’s regime is under threat.

“Russia is still in a position to wage a long-term war,” Kahl said, pointing out that the country can always recruit new soldiers to do so.

According to the BND president, Moscow also has sufficient military equipment and ammunition.

Kahl acknowledged there are vulnerabilities, among them the performance of the Russian Armed Forces, but said that if the West does not support Ukraine in a very well-organized way, Putin’s long-term strategy may prevail.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Currently, the disputed eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is at the epicenter of the war.

Last Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said that Bakhmut, the scene of a fierce battle between Russian and Ukrainian troops since August 2022, has been completely destroyed, but denied that it was taken over by Russian forces.

On Saturday, the head of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, had announced the taking of the city, which was then also affirmed by the Russian military.

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