An expert has warned that the “outlook for Ukraine is bleak” as recent figures indicate over half a million Russian troops have been mobilized to the Ukrainian border. The now dramatically overpowered Ukrainian defense is grappling with depleting ammunition and manpower shortages as it awaits international assistance.
“The Russian forces have now expanded to 510,000 troops. The outlook for Ukraine is bleak. Its allies must replenish stockpiles,” said Dr. Jack Watling of the hawkish Royal United Services Institute.
The current objective of the highly fortified Russian forces involves the broad sweep to capture Kharkov, Ukraine’s second-largest city. UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps claimed this aggressive move had “caught the West napping,” although experts warned last month that Russia was positioned to capture the city within months.
Russian forces recently launched another offensive in the northeastern regions of Ukraine, increasing the pressure on the already overstretched Ukrainian defense. In less than a week, the Russian military has effectively occupied between 38 to 47 square miles, capturing towns and villages and eroding Ukrainian control.
These developments come as Ukrainian forces are expectantly waiting for international aid, with small quantities starting to trickle in from the U.S.
According to Yurii Federenko, a battalion commander, it will take a minimum of two months before the inbound supplies can adequately supplement Ukrainian defense needs.
This additional pressure on the Ukrainian forces further contributes to the defense instability in significant territories such as the regions surrounding Avdiivka and Chasiv Yar. The current situation signals a strategic advantage for Russia, commanding a challenging predicament for the Western allies and Ukraine.
In April, several experts said the”the writing is on the wall for Ukraine” and predicted the country may only have “weeks” left in its war with Russia.
