Sociologist, journalist, and former Russian Duma deputy Igor Yakovenko noted that it is in Putin's interest to prolong the war. He stated this during an interview on the "Espreso" television channel.
"The war is still being conducted asymmetrically. Russia is targeting Ukrainian civilian cities and killing innocent civilians. Ukraine, in rare cases, responds to military targets and destroys Russian military objectives. The crucial difference lies in the fact that the war is primarily taking place on Ukrainian territory, not Russian territory. Therefore, when we talk about the clear prolongation of this war, it is in Putin's interest, and this is quite obvious. Ukraine is becoming the main victim despite the fact that there is an offensive. The offensive is quite successful, but the war still continues on Ukrainian territory, and Ukrainian civilians are dying, and Ukraine's economy is being destroyed," emphasized Yakovenko.
According to the Russian dissident, the discussion revolves around supplying weapons to Ukraine and the possibility of ending the war as soon as possible.
"It's not about prolonging it for a long time, not about extending it for several years, but about ending it, at least in the coming year, and this is a matter of Ukraine's survival. Undoubtedly, the political will of Ukraine's leadership, the will of the Ukrainian people, and the Armed Forces are sufficient to continue this war. But it's about how long the resources—both material and human—will last," Yakovenko emphasized.
