New Delhi: Beleaguered by personnel loss, Russia is picking up volunteers from the so-called army of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Lebanon-based group, Hezbollah.
In its daily operational report released Thursday, the Ukrainian defence ministry claimed Russia was making up for the loss of personnel “at the expense of foreigners”.
The release said the skill Russia was looking for in foreign recruits was the experience to fight in a city. The military claimed Russia was gearing up to attack capital Kyiv.
The ministry also said Russian forces were focused on retaining control over previously-occupied territory in Ukraine, particularly border regions.
The UK ministry of defence said in a statement Thursday that the Russian military is facing logistical problems in its “faltering invasion of Ukraine”.
The intelligence update said the Russian military was unable to control Ukrainian airspace and obstacles on the ground.
They have not been able to replenish basic supplies in forward zones, the British claimed.
“Reluctance to maneuver cross-country, lack of control of the air and limited bridging capabilities are preventing Russia from effectively resupplying their forward troops with basic essentials such as food and fuel,” the ministry said.
“Incessant Ukrainian counterattacks are forcing Russia to divert large numbers of troops to their own supply Iines. This is severely limiting Russia’s offensive potential.”
Meanwhile, Russian forces continued to bomb Chernihiv and Mariupol Thursday as the war entered its fourth week.
US President Joe Biden will talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Friday to “assess where President Xi stands,” according to White House Secretary Jen Psaki.
During an address for St Patrick’s Day, Biden called Vladimir Putin “a murderous dictator” and a “pure thug”.
Also read: Ukraine war must teach India’s ‘bygone’ Army to use same military model to stalemate China