Putin's ally warns Ukraine's fragmentation, leaves blame to the West

Patosev's comments broke out a warning that Russia's war in Ukraine could lead to a division of the country for which Moscow would try to blame its opponents.

In an interview for the government newspaper Rossiya, Ptrusev -- a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- said the United States has tried to install hatred of any Russian element in Ukraine.

However, history teaches us that hatred cannot become a reliable factor in national unity”, Patosev said.

If anything connects people living in Ukraine, it's only fear of the atrocities of nationalist battalions”, Patrusev said -- referring to the Ukrainian armed forces that Moscow describes as Nazi as part of the reason to invade the country.

Therefore, the result of Western and Kiev policies will only be the collapse of Ukraine in some states, the Russian official was quoted as saying.

His comments, coming nine weeks after the war, revealed indicators that Moscow -- despite saying it is not intended for the Ukrainian occupation - are expected to split the country.

Being defeated in the initial attempt to capture Kiev, Russian forces have been regrouped for what Moscow says is a campaign to free the eastern Donba region.

Last week a Russian general went even further, saying Russia would try to get the entire Ukraine birth and south.