The former CIA director has warned that there “will be more tough fighting” with “more punishing Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure” in Ukraine.

David Petraeus who is also a retired General and served 37 years in the US Army and was the commander for US forces in Afghanistan warned that Russian forces will suffer a “terrible, painful” retreat from all Ukrainian territories.

General Petraeus said he is confident that Ukraine will recapture the Donbas and Crimea from Vladimir Putin.

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He gave his thoughts on how the war could develop over time, he said, “There will be more tough fighting, more casualties, more punishing Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure – but Ukraine will over time, I think, retake the territory that Russia has seized since February 24.

“And it’s even conceivable now that they could retake Crimea and the Donbas.

“And, by the way, with what’s going on the frontline, there’s insurgence activity now picking up in the Russian-rear areas carried out by Ukrainians there as well.”

Petraeus added, “This is going to take time. There will be tough fighting – all of that.

“But this is a disastrous situation for Russia now.”

The former CIA director was asked if he thinks the momentum has now shifted to Ukraine’s advantage, Petraeus replied, “It has fundamentally shifted.

“And you know, I’m normally guarded and cautious about this.

“But the tide clearly has turned because the success of this offensive, as important as it is itself on the ground, what really is important is that it reflects a hugely important development, a new reality that Ukraine has been incomparably better than Russia in recruiting, training, equipping, organising and employing additional forces.

“While Russia has been struggling to do just that, literally running out of soldiers, ammunition, tanks, fighting vehicles and so forth, the Ukraine supported superbly by the US and NATO.

“Whereas Russia, even if it declared mobilisation today, could not reverse this fundamental reality.

“So, the implications are stark.”