Russia lacks strategic assessment, which is Moscow's critical weakness, preferring groupthink and political expediency. This is stated in the regular report of the British Ministry of Defense based on intelligence.

 "The lack of strategic assessment is one of the critical weaknesses of the central Russian government architecture: as evidenced by Russia's initial decision to invade Ukraine. Unbiased official analysis is almost certainly often undermined by a tendency toward groupthink and politically expedient conclusions," British intelligence said.

 Thus, the Ministry of Defense of Britain notes that Russia has recently begun to expand its defense positions along its international border with Ukraine and in the depths of the Belgorod region. On December 6, the local governor announced the creation of local "self-defense units."

 "There is a real possibility that the Russian authorities are advancing defense preparations on the internationally recognized territory of Russia to inflame patriotic feelings," British intelligence said.

 British intelligence named the reason for Russia's desire to capture Bakhmut.