UK intelligence report: Kyiv remains ‘primary military objective’ of Russian invasion

A report by British intelligence says that Kyiv remains the focus of Russian military plans, despite the “continued lack of progress” by Moscow’s troops in their attempts to take the Ukrainian capital.

The report seemingly contradicts the statements given by unnamed US officials to the Wall Street Journal that Russian President Vladimir Putin is shifting strategy away from seizing the Ukrainian capital.

“Heavy fighting continues north of Kyiv,” the UK Ministry of Defense says in a statement.

“Russian forces advancing on the city from the north-east have stalled. Forces advancing from the direction of Hostomel to the north-west have been repulsed by fierce Ukrainian resistance,” the statement says. “The bulk of Russian forces remain more than 25 kilometers from the center of the city.”

The report concludes that despite the lack of progress by Russian troops, “Kyiv remains Russia’s primary military objective and they are likely to prioritize attempting to encircle the city over the coming weeks.”