2022-12-17 12:33:13
Key Takeaways from Institute for the Study of War as of December 16:
Russian forces conducted another set of large-scale missile strikes throughout Ukraine and one of the largest missile attacks against Kyiv to date.
Russian strikes continue to pose a significant threat to Ukrainian civilians despite generating no improvement in the Russian ability to conduct offensive operations.
Dmitry Medvedev made inflammatory but irrelevant comments in support of ongoing information operations that aim to weaken Western support for Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely pressure Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to support the Russian war in Ukraine further at a meeting in Minsk on December 19.
Lukashenko is already setting information conditions to deflect Russian integration demands.
Putin’s upcoming visit to Minsk could indicate that he is setting conditions for a new offensive from Belarusian territory.
Putin and Lukashenko’s meeting will likely advance a separate Russian information operation that seeks to break Ukrainian will and Western willingness to support Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly ignored worst-case scenario assessments of potential damage to the Russian economy prior to launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is continuing to face economic challenges as a direct result of the war in Ukraine.
Russian forces conducted counterattacks in the Svatove and Kreminna areas.
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka-Donetsk areas.
Russian forces continued to undertake defensive measures on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River.
Russian officials will likely struggle to recruit additional contract servicemembers despite ongoing efforts to do so.
Russian occupation authorities continued seizing civilian infrastructure to treat wounded Russian servicemen and aid Russian forces operating in occupied territories.
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