American Intelligence: War would hardly spur Putin's departure

Officials also suspect that the war, for which many connoisseur believe has been an unprecedented failure for the Russian Army, is likely to spur Putin's departure from power, not at least in the short term.

The assessment reflects the degree to which officials believe Putin has cemented his control over Russia during his tenure for two decades. Although intelligence officials believe Putin is deeply sensitive to the slight change in public opinion, his ability to suppress protests and media control still helps him to isolate any popular discontent - leaving him free to continue the fight under his terms.

Putin is involved in day-to-day wartime management, according to three sources with knowledge of American and Western intelligence who told CNN that Putin is directly involved in decision-making that in many Western armies such roles would have lower officers. A source from Western intelligence said Putin often makes decisions in detail on the location of the offensive line and on everyday operational goals.

He's definitely a decisionmaker. He seems not even based on government experts”, a NATO official said.

Russian public opinion of the war in Ukraine remains high despite major Russian forces' losses, according to analysts from abroad and with American intelligence knowledge. Officials say most Russians do not capture the whole reality of war, thanks to the oppressive environment of the media within Russia./Periscopi/