During this period (summer 2025) they will face a dilemma: either to declare mobilization or to somehow reduce the intensity of hostilities, which may ultimately be critical for them,
They supply huge amounts of artillery ammunition, which is critical for Russia,
As the head of intelligence, I can say directly: the fact that they are supplying ballistic missiles there is unpleasant for us, but it is not a significant amount – but with regard to the ammunition, that is critical for us. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it for now. That is the unfortunate truth."
Russia needs all the shorter range firepower that it can get, and despite the technical failings of Iranian missiles, the Russian war in Ukraine is not about precision, it is about brute force,
It seems dubious that several hundred of these munitions could have a significant impact on the war,
Russia is likely not concerned with the wide target deviation circular error because many of Russia's own munitions have similar issues and because Russia has targets for which it is less concerned with such deviation,
The Russians want to overwhelm and bludgeon Ukrainian forces, which are already facing manpower shortfalls,
Russia wants this missile system in order to reduce stress on its own stocks of mobile short-range ballistic missiles, most notably for systems such as Iskander,
The short range of this system suggests that Russia likely intends to use these systems against Ukrainian front-line forces and their supporting infrastructure, pushing the system launchers into greater danger than some of its own launchers for longer-range systems,
We need to have this long-range capability not only on the occupied territory of Ukraine, but also on Russian territory ... so that Russia is motivated to seek peace,
I don't believe there's any indication that Vladimir Putin has an interest in picking a fight with NATO,
You've heard this (debate) before,
If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States, and European countries, in the war in Ukraine,
Flight assignments for these missile systems can, in fact, only be entered by military personnel from NATO countries. Ukrainian servicemen cannot do this. And therefore, it is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is a question of making a decision whether NATO countries directly participate in the military conflict or not,
The US fear of escalation and reluctance to take steps to deter Russia, allows Russia and its coalition partners to escalate at will,
A normal and standard Russian response to any development it dislikes is to intensify its terror attacks on Ukraine,
We shouldn’t think of any individual weapon system as a wonder weapon that will change the war radically,
If you show Russia you are strong and determined, Russia will not escalate,
We have adjusted and adapted as needs changed, as the battlefield has changed, and I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that,
It is important that Ukrainian arguments are heard. This includes the long-range weapons,