U.S. intelligence officials met with lawmakers to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
United States intelligence officials spoke on the war in Ukraine in front of the House Intelligence Committee Tuesday, saying Russia likely underestimated Ukraine's resilience when invading.
The hearing of officials like Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines in front of the lawmakers marked the first public assessment of the conflict by top U.S. intelligence officials, the Associated Press reported. "We assess Putin feels aggrieved the West does not give him proper deference and perceives this as a war he cannot afford to lose," Haines said at the hearing."But what he might be willing to accept as a victory may change over time given the significant costs he is incurring."U.S. intelligence officials said Putin perceives the war in Russia as one"he cannot afford to lose.