Russians "do not have the strength" to capture Donetsk and Luhansk regions this year. This was stated by the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The head of the GUR admitted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are in a difficult situation due to a lack of weapons and personnel, "but Russia also has problems." 

Budanov believes that the Russian troops are poorly trained, they spend more shells and tanks than they produce, and the Russians have a clear lack of missiles, according to Budanov.

"In recent weeks, missile attacks on Ukrainian cities have stopped as Russian supplies have run out," the WSJ quoted him as saying.

The publication adds that the scenario described by Budanov is "optimal" for the West, according to officials and experts. If Ukraine manages to defend itself and restore its forces this year, the Armed Forces could launch a counteroffensive again in 2025.