Ukraine's top general says his troops have been forced to retreat as fighting on the country's eastern front intensified. Kyiv's forces have fallen back to new positions in at least three places along the front, west of the Donetsk region.

Donetsk

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine's top general has disclosed that Ukrainian troops have been forced to retreat from positions on the eastern front due to intensification in the fighting, particularly west of the Donetsk region. According to the official statement, the Ukrainian forces are facing heightened attacks from Russian forces across multiple points along the extensive frontline that spans approximately 1,000 kilometers.

The Ukrainian head of armed forces, Oleksandr Sirskiy, highlighted that the situation on the front line has deteriorated, with Ukrainian troops withdrawing to new positions in at least three different locations. The challenges faced by the Ukrainian forces include being outmatched in terms of air power and ammunition by Russian forces. Reports from the field suggest that the Ukrainian army is being outshelled by ratios ranging from six to one, leading up to seven to one. This situation has been corroborated by outside observations, including visits by journalistic teams in April and comments from top NATO commanders, who suggest that the disparity could increase to ten to one.

In response to Ukraine's predicament, the United States has approved a $61 billion military aid package aimed at bolstering the Ukrainian defense against the Russian offensive. After months of anticipation, the first portion of this aid, totaling $1 billion, is expected to be dispatched promptly from existing U.S. supplies. This package is particularly significant for Ukraine as it aims to enhance air defenses needed to safeguard the frontline and vital infrastructure such as power plants, eighty percent of which have been reported as damaged or destroyed by Russian artillery and missiles.

This development arrives at a crucial juncture for Ukraine as it anticipates the arrival of the military aid, including essential air defense systems, to offset the advantage currently held by Russian forces. The situation remains dynamic as Ukraine and its allies work to navigate these challenges.



Ukraine troops retreating on eastern front

Yeah, it's not good news that the Ukrainian head of the armed forces, Oleksandr Sirskiy, had. He started, actually, the statement by saying that the situation on the front line had worsened for Ukraine. So that was the start of his statement, and he said what's happening is that it's not just in one area, that Russian forces are attacking in several different points on this 1,000-kilometre, extremely long front line, and that's forcing, and that's giving them the initiative on the battlefield. He also talked about the fact that in certain parts of the front line, Russian forces also have superior air power, they've got superior ammunitions. That's something that we've found ourselves when our teams have gone to the front lines this April, that they've been told by Ukrainian army personnel that they're being outshelled six to one or seven to one. The top NATO commander also speaking recently said that that could go to ten to one. Now there is a possible end in sight in that disparity between the firepower of the two forces. The United States has just approved a $61 billion aid package, military aid package, for Ukraine after months of delays. The difficulty is for Ukraine when that will arrive. The first billion dollar of that is set to come from supplies that the U.S. already has, so presumably could ship reasonably quickly. It doesn't have to procure that first tranche of its defence industry, and Ukraine will be waiting anxiously for that weaponry to arrive, including air defences to protect not just its front line, but also its power plants. Eighty percent, for example, of its thermal plants have been damaged or destroyed by Russian shells and missiles. So this is a critical point really for Ukraine and for Russia as it tries to press home its advantage before that expected aid arrives. It certainly seems that way. Thanks so much, John. John Holman for us there in Kyiv.

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Ukraine Invasion