An intelligence gap may have led the US to overestimate Russia’s military capabilities, according to a top US general in Europe.

Before Russia attacked Ukraine, the senior US general in Europe indicated there "may be" a gap in US intelligence gathering that caused the US to overestimate Russia's potential while underestimating Ukraine's defensive capabilities.

When Russia invaded Ukraine last month, US intelligence officials predicted that the country-wide assault would result in Kyiv falling into Russian hands within days. However, as the battle enters its second month, Russia's military has become mired down in and around the city, beset by logistical and sustainability issues, as well as unexpectedly strong resistance from Ukrainian fighters.Sen. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, asked US European Command chief Gen. Tod Wolters during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday if there was an intelligence gap that caused the US to overestimate Russia's might and underestimate the Ukrainian defenses. Sen. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, asked US European Command chief Gen. Tod Wolters during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday if there was an intelligence gap that caused the US to overestimate Russia's might and underestimate the Ukrainian defenses.There could be," Wolters responded. "As we've always done in the past, when this crisis is over with, we will accomplish a comprehensive after-action review in all domains and in all departments and find out where our weak areas were and make sure we can find ways to improve, and this could be one of those areas."While US intelligence was dead on in forecasting Russia's plans to invade Ukraine — which the Biden administration aggressively publicized to turn public opinion against the Kremlin — the intelligence community failed to appraise Russia's military's poor performance. While US intelligence was dead on in forecasting Russia's plans to invade Ukraine — which the Biden administration aggressively publicized to turn public opinion against the Kremlin — the intelligence community failed to appraise Russia's military's poor performance.

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