Stratcom head: Russia executed a «cowardly war»

The head of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Riga Jānis Sārts is «cautiously optimistic» about Ukraine’s ability to gain the upper hand in the war Russia started.
Sārts said in an interview to TV3, over the last month’s time Russia has executed a «cowardly war» – shot from a distance and shot at civilians all the while avoiding a direct confrontation.
The war has entered its second phase now that Russia has concentrated forces in Donbas. This means another direct confrontation.
According to Sārts, Russia’s goal may be encircling Ukraine’s largest army group in Donbas and then either attempting a move on Kyiv or starting «peace talks».
Sārts believes that the problems in Russian army have not gone away in spite of regrouping – «commanders are incompetent and supplies are shot». This is why he is «cautiously optimistic» about Ukraine’s ability to gain the upper hand. Sārts mentioned that armament-wise the US is prepared to give Ukraine «everything».
NATO centre’s manager said the war in Donbas could go on for long, but it may as well end within a month’s time. Perhaps Russia may try to freeze military activities.
As for the situation in Mariupol, where Ukrainian soldiers have remained under siege for a long time, Sārts is pessimistic. He does not believe they can expect a moment when Ukrainian army musters enough force to commence a counter-offensive and break through the blockade. He is certain Mariupol will reveal even more war crimes committed by Russian forces than were found in the outskirts of Bucha.
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AS for the topic of propaganda, Sārts allows that approximately half of residents in Russia do approve of the war with Ukraine, but he does not really believe the official numbers, because for the regime in Russia it is important to claim in its propaganda that everyone supports it in order to crush any opposing opinions.
Sārts mentioned NATO expects very aggressive rhetoric from Russia, as well as provocations and even cyber attacks in relation to Sweden’s and Finland’s expected joining of NATO, which will significantly change the security situation in the Baltic Sea region. This is why it is very important for Latvia and very undesirable for Russia.