An anonymous U.S. defense official just told journos that “Russia did not tell some troops sent into Ukraine that they would be going into combat” and that they’ve seen “large” numbers of Russian troops surrendering without a fight:
NEW: Russia did not tell some troops sent into Ukraine that they would be going into combat, per senior U.S. defense official.
Some of the troops are conscripts, the official said, and the U.S. has seen large Russian surrenders in certain instances.
— Jack Detsch (@JackDetsch) March 1, 2022
This does fit with some of the unverified videos that are flying around:
This tracks completely with POW videos. https://t.co/U75XsoWW6v
— Michael Weiss 🌻 (@michaeldweiss) March 1, 2022
The official also said the 40-mile long convoy of military vehicles headed toward Kyiv was making much progress:
NEW: Russia's 40-mile long tank, artillery, and supply convoy moving toward Kyiv has mostly "stalled," per a senior U.S. defense official.
"We don’t believe that it is making a lot of progress," the official said, partly due to supply troubles.
— Jack Detsch (@JackDetsch) March 1, 2022
According to this official, they’re running out of fuel and food:
BREAKING: U.S. believes Russia has committed more than 80 percent of pre-staged troops into Ukraine: senior U.S. defense official.
Russia has not been able to advance on Kyiv due to fuel & sustainment problems. "Not only are they running out of gas, they're running out of food"
— Jack Detsch (@JackDetsch) March 1, 2022
More excerpts from the briefing. . .
“The official says that the Pentagon has no confirmation that Belarussian troops are currently operating inside of Ukraine”:
The official says that the Pentagon has no confirmation that Belarussian troops are currently operating inside of Ukraine.
— Amanda Macias (@amanda_m_macias) March 1, 2022
“Ukrainian air and missile defense systems remain viable and intact and engaged”:
The official adds that it is of the US assessment that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy still has "command and control over his armed forces."
"Ukrainian air and missile defense systems remain viable and intact and engaged," the person added.
— Amanda Macias (@amanda_m_macias) March 1, 2022
“U.S believes Russia has committed more than 80 pct of its pre-staged combat power in Ukraine”:
U.S believes Russia has committed more than 80 pct of its pre-staged combat power in Ukraine, U.S. official says.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) March 1, 2022
“U.S. believes Russia’s main advance on Kyiv has had no appreciable movement in last 24 hours”:
U.S. believes Russia's main advance on Kyiv has had no appreciable movement in last 24 hours, U.S. official says.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) March 1, 2022
“The official says that the large convoy seen in satellite imagery is ‘not exactly moving with great speed'”:
The official says that the large convoy seen in satellite imagery is "not exactly moving with great speed."
Reiterates issues with logistics, fuel and food supply.
— Amanda Macias (@amanda_m_macias) March 1, 2022
“U.S. assesses that Russia has launcher systems that could be used for vacuum bomb but cannot confirm use”:
U.S. assesses that Russia has launcher systems that could be used for vacuum bomb but cannot confirm use, U.S. official says.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) March 1, 2022
“Russia has launched more than 400 missiles at Ukrainian targets so far”:
Russia has launched more than 400 missiles at Ukrainian targets so far, U.S. official says.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) March 1, 2022
“No major Russian military move on Odessa so far”:
No major Russian military move on Odessa so far, official says.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) March 1, 2022
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