US, EU Intel Reveal Putin Misled By Advisors Fearful Of Sharing Reality

"You tell him we're getting our butts kicked."  

"Nah, that's ok, he likes you better, you tell him." 

Recent intelligence uncovered by both US and European sources suggests knowledgeable observers, surprised by Russia's fumbling performance in Ukraine, have learned that trusted advisors are afraid of telling Putin the truth about the army's being outmanuevered and outfought by the Ukrainians, for fear of what he will do to those bearing bad news. JL

Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal report in Reuters, image Mikhail Klimentyev, AP:

Russian President Vladimir Putin was misled by advisers who were too scared to tell him how poorly the war in Ukraine is going and how damaging Western sanctions have been. "Putin thought things were going better than they were. That's the problem with surrounding yourself with 'yes men' or only sitting with them at the end of a very long table. (He) didn’t even know his military was using and losing conscripts in Ukraine. " Washington's decision to share its intelligence publicly reflects a strategy it has pursued since before the war began. It could complicate Putin's calculationsRussian President Vladimir Putin was misled by advisers who were too scared to tell him how poorly the war in Ukraine is going and how damaging Western sanctions have been, U.S. and European officials said on Wednesday.

Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of its southern neighbor has been halted on most fronts by stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces who have recaptured territory even as civilians are trapped in besieged cities.

"We have information that Putin felt misled by the Russian military," leading him to mistrust the military leadership, the U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity and citing newly declassified intelligence reports.

"Putin didn’t even know his military was using and losing conscripts in Ukraine, showing a clear breakdown in the flow of accurate information to the Russian president," the official said.

The official did not provide the intelligence report, but said the information had been declassified.

The Kremlin made no immediate comment after the end of the working day in Moscow, and the Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Washington's decision to share its intelligence more publicly reflects a strategy it has pursued since before the war began. In this case, it could also complicate Putin's calculations, a second U.S. official said, adding, "It's potentially useful. Does it sow dissension in the ranks? It could make Putin reconsider whom he can trust."

One senior European diplomat said the U.S. assessment was in line with European thinking. "Putin thought things were going better than they were. That's the problem with surrounding yourself with 'yes men' or only sitting with them at the end of a very long table," the diplomat said.

Russian conscripts were told they were taking part in military exercises, but had to sign a document before the invasion that extended their duties, two European diplomats said.