Russia amasses more than half a million troops on the front line in dramatic bid to overpower Ukrainian forces as analyst warns outlook for Western-backed nation ‘is bleak’
- Vladimir Putin’s army significantly outnumbers Western-backed Ukraine
Russia has amassed more than half a million frontline troops in a dramatic bid to overpower Ukrainian forces, analysts say.
Vladimir Putin’s army significantly outnumbers Western-backed troops, forcing them to use up their ammunition supplies.
Dr. Jack Watling, of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said: ‘The Russian armed forces have now increased to 510,000 troops.
‘The prospects for Ukraine are bleak. His allies need to replenish their supplies.”
The warning came as Russia continued its advance in northern Ukraine, threatening the country’s second city, Kharkiv.
Vladimir Putin’s army significantly outnumbers Western-backed forces as it has amassed half a million troops on the border. A still image from a video shows tanks and military vehicles in Maslovka, Voronezh region, Russia
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps suggested the advance had ‘put the West to sleep’. Pictured: Smoke rises in the aftermath of a Russian attack, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps suggested the advance had ‘put the West to sleep’.
It may also have prompted a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kiev yesterday to reassure President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that US military aid was on its way.
Mr Blinken said: “We know this is a challenging time.
“But American aid will really make a difference against continued Russian aggression on the battlefield.”
A $60 billion package was recently approved by Congress after months of disputes involving Republican lawmakers.