President Joe Biden’s top national security adviser warned that Russia would continue its assault on Ukrainian civilians as it redefines its war aims after meeting early setbacks.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Moscow was likely preparing to deploy tens of thousands of Russian soldiers to eastern Ukraine as part of a renewed ground offensive after retreating from Kyiv.
“We should be under no illusions that Russia will adjust its tactics, which have included and will likely continue to include wanton and brazen attacks on civilian targets,” Sullivan told reporters Monday. He said Russia may push deeper into the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces, seizing new territory to downplay its prior military failures and extending its campaign.
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“While Moscow may be interested now in using military pressure to find a political settlement, if this offensive in the East proves to gain some traction, Russia could regenerate forces for additional goals,” Sullivan said. This could include attempts to gain control of more territory in Ukraine.
Sullivan explained that Moscow might attempt to capture territory beyond the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces, holding the port city of Kherson in the south while maintaining pressure on Kharkiv.
During this offensive, Moscow is expected to launch air and missile strikes across Ukraine, including against Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Lviv.
Sullivan pointed to the atrocities revealed inside the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and said the White House would continue to back Ukraine with military, humanitarian, and economic assistance. The United States has committed $1.65 billion in weapons and ammunition to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion, with rocket systems, drones, and more included in the latest package.
“Now is not the time for complacency,” he added.
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Biden’s press secretary said cities still under siege could reveal new atrocities if Russia retreats.
“We should brace ourselves for what we might see,” Jen Psaki said.
Biden earlier Monday called for a war crimes trial against Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to the images from Bucha, outside of the Ukrainian capital. The president also said he was seeking to impose new sanctions on Russia.
