Russia is expected to send an additional 1,000 mercenaries to Ukraine.
On the 4th (local time), CNN in the US made this statement, citing a US government official.
The official also said that Russian mercenaries already in Ukraine were not active in the face of stronger-than-expected resistance from the Ukrainian people, and that up to 200 mercenaries had died by the end of last month.
Accordingly, the US and the West are predicting that Russia will intensify its attacks on densely populated areas, including the capital Kiiu.
According to reports, a Western intelligence official said Russia was poised to bomb several Ukrainian cities.
“This new approach came following Russian President Vladimir Putin did not achieve the swift victory he had hoped for and met strong resistance from Ukrainians across Ukraine,” CNN said.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “As the Russian military continues to attack across Ukraine with more powerful weapons, the death toll and destruction will increase.”
