New Delhi: Russia is calling in troops from all over the country to reinforce its manpower in Ukraine.
Intel released by the UK Ministry of Defence said that Russia was faced with “continued personnel losses” in Ukraine.
The UK assessment said: “Russia is increasingly seeking to generate additional troops to bolster and replace its personnel losses. It is likely Russia is struggling to conduct offensive operations in the face of sustained Ukrainian resistance.”
The briefing said the Russian casualty toll, with thousands of soldiers killed and many wounded, would make it harder for them to control seized Ukrainian territory.
The briefing added: “Russia is redeploying forces from as far afield as its Eastern Military District, Pacific Fleet and Armenia. It is also increasingly seeking to exploit irregular sources such as Private Military Companies, Syrian and other mercenaries.
“Russia will likely attempt to use these forces to hold captured territory and free up its combat power to renew stalled offensive operations.”
The Ministry of Defence briefing, put out Tuesday night, said: “Russian forces have remained largely tied to Ukraine’s road network and have demonstrated a reluctance to conduct off-road manoeuvre. The destruction of bridges by Ukrainian forces has also played a key role in stalling Russia’s advance.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will virtually address the US Congress Wednesday, after daily pleas for help have practically gone unacknowledged.
Zelenskyy is likely to renew his call for a no-fly zone over Ukraine airspace and help to acquire fighter jets. US President Joe Biden has so far rejected these appeals as it may potentially drag the US into war with Russia.
Russia continued to attack Ukraine cities Wednesday and nearly blew up two buildings in the heart of the capital Kyiv. The buildings, with several floors on fire, were evacuated. No casualties have so far been reported.
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