Thread by @DanLamothe

A background briefing with a senior U.S. defense official about the war in Ukraine concluded a bit ago.

A few major takeaways:

Lots of attention on Russia’s announcement today that they are prioritizing the Donbas region. The Pentagon saw that coming, flagging the likelihood for reporters in a background briefing Wednesday.

The senior defense official said Friday that it is “difficult to say” if Russia’s new emphasis on the Donbas represents a change in strategy. But he notes they are digging defensive positions outside Kyiv, rather than attempting to continue their advance.

Fierce fighting in several parts of Ukraine continues, Mariupol in particular. Several Ukrainian offensives against Russia also have some effect.

For the first time in weeks, the Pentagon assessed today that Kherson, a port city in southern Ukraine, is no longer under full Russian control.

"It doesn't appear to be as solidly in Russian control as it was before,” the senior defense official said. “Ukrainians are trying to take Kherson back and we would argue that Kherson is actually contested territory again."

Ukrainian forces also have pushed back Russian forces to some degree outside the northern Chernihiv, making “incremental” progress, the senior defense official said.

Other Ukrainian offensives are underway in the Kyiv suburbs. Makariv, west of Kyiv, is contested, Pentagon says.

As of Friday, Russia has now launched more than 1,250 missiles at Ukraine since invading Feb. 24.

Senior defense official says that Russia has experienced malfunctions with some of their cruise missiles, in particular.

Pentagon now assesses that Russia has 85 to 90 percent of its preassembled combat power. While that’s a nebulous number, it represents continued losses.

Pentagon assessment had been "less than 90" percent before.

For first time, Pentagon says today specifically that sees signs that Russia is moving some of its troops from the Republic of Georgia to fight in Russia.

Senior defense official confirms the attack on a Russian ship in Berdyansk that was widely reported yesterday.

Says Pentagon assesses it was an LST (landing ship, tank).

The Pentagon still assesses that Ukrainian airspace is contested, though the Russians are flying about 300 sorties per day, drastically more than Ukraine.