False reports are likely shaping Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s understanding of the battlefield situation. The Financial Times (FT) reported on December 22 that two unspecified officials stated that Russian military and security authorities regularly give Putin updates that inflate Ukrainian battlefield casualties, highlight Russia\u2019s resource advantages, and downplay tactical failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FT reported that Russian Chief of the General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov, is responsible for briefing Putin about the war. The sources reportedly stated that the \u201crosy picture\u201d that military officials paint during their briefs has led Putin to believe that Russia can win the war. FT stated that the sources noted that Putin regularly meets with \u201cconfidants\u201d who tell him that the war has become a \u201cgrowing drag\u201d on the Russian economy, however. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Washington Post reported on December 22 that a Russian official stated that a banking or non-payments crisis in Russia is possible and that they do not \u201cwant to think about a continuation of the war or an escalation.\u201d A Russian academic source close to senior Kremlin diplomats told the Washington Post that 2026 will be the \u201cfirst difficult year\u201d since the start of the full scale invasion but assessed that growing economic problems will not lead to social or political problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> Western officials believe Putin is pressing on with his war in Ukraine partly because of flawed information he gets about the battlefield, @NastyaStognei<\/a> and I write.
The rosy picture from his generals has led him to believe Russia can win outright:https:\/\/t.co\/DzVErrPFXM<\/a><\/p>— max seddon (@maxseddon) December 22, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>