Key Takeaways:
-
Kremlin
officials and mouthpieces continue to set information conditions to
destabilize Moldova, likely as part of efforts to prevent Moldova’s
integration into the EU and the West among other objectives. -
Russian
Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergei Naryshkin reiterated
that the Kremlin is not interested in any settlements short of the
complete destruction and eradication of the Ukrainian state, likely in
an ongoing effort to justify the long-term and costly Russian war effort
to domestic audiences. -
The
Kremlin also continues to frame and justify a long-term Russian war
effort as part of an existential geopolitical confrontation with the
West and Nazism. -
Ukrainian
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa emphasized the importance
of Ukraine’s ability to technologically adapt and develop as Russian
forces continue to adapt to Ukrainian operations in a January 27 Sky
News interview. -
The
Kremlin will likely use the withdrawals of Mali, Burkina Faso, and
Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to
continue efforts to expand Russian influence in Francophone Africa. -
Unnamed
Indian government sources stated that India wants to distance itself
from Russia, its largest arms supplier, because the war in Ukraine has
limited Russia’s ability to provide India with munitions. Russian
forces recently advanced near Kreminna and Avdiivka amid continued
positional fighting throughout the theater. -
A
Russian source claimed that Rosgvardia is forming the 1st Volunteer
Corps with remaining Wagner Group personnel and newly recruited
volunteers (dobrovoltsy) following the Kremlin adoption of the law
allowing Rosgvardia to form its own volunteer formations in December
2023. -
Ukrainian
Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Head Lieutenant General
Kyrylo Budanov stated on January 28 that Ukraine and Russia will conduct
a prisoner of war (POW) exchange in the near future.