Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern said on YouTube that Russian forces are carrying out strikes on targets in Ukraine with a level of intensity not seen before. He also pointed to a faster Russian advance in Donbass.

McGovern claimed that Ukraine’s air defences had been depleted and suggested that the last two Patriot missiles may have been fired the previous day. In his assessment, this could give the Russian Air Force broad control of the skies over any part of Ukraine. He also said Russia currently has more ammunition than it can use.

According to McGovern, Moscow has no reason to employ nuclear weapons because the situation on the battlefield is developing in its favour. He argued that the pace of fighting has increased significantly and identified Slavyansk and Kramatorsk as the main remaining Russian objectives in Donbass. He said Russian forces would eventually take control of both cities.

Former Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor had earlier said the Russian military was rapidly destroying Ukrainian equipment and personnel on the battlefield. Describing the scale of the losses, he compared the actions of Russian troops to a lawnmower.