UKRAINE’S generals warned they have run out of reserves to halt Russia’s shock assault on Kharkiv.
It comes as Vladimir Putin masses more than half a million troops on the frontline in a bid to overpower Ukraine’s forces.
A fire erupted following a Russian air strike near KharkivCredit: Getty
Ukraine’s military has admitted it is struggling to contain the advance in the north east of the country.
General Kyrylo Budanov, boss of Kyiv’s military intelligence said: “I’ve used everything we have.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone else in the reserves.”
Putin’s troops have seized miles of ground in their fastest advances in months.
The blitz, said to be the first stage of Russia’s summer offensive, is designed to stretch Ukraine’s already outnumbered defenders.
Kyiv said the Russian push appeared to have run out of steam last night — but, in the face of Putin’s 500,000-strong force, warned that could change quickly.
Royal United Services Institute war expert Dr Jack Watling said unless Ukraine could muster more troops its prospects were bleak as Russia had “significant numerical superiority”.
He said: “The Russian forces have now expanded to 510,000 troops.
“The outlook for Ukraine is bleak. Its allies must replenish stockpiles.”
Ukraine cannot blitz Russian forces massing just over the border because the US has forbidden it from using its weapons such as Himars rockets in enemy territory.
Former UK joint chief General Sir Richard Barrons said that had allowed the Russians to be able to “form up at leisure”.
He added: “Those are the only weapons that will break up Russian forces as they organise themselves for an offensive.”
But desperately needed weapons from the latest US aid package have begun arriving at the front line.
In Kyiv today, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who vowed to make Russia pay to rebuild his country.
He said: “It’s what international law demands.”
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/11368718/ukraine-reserves-kharkhiv-assault/
