Ukraine: Nursery struck by Russian missiles in Bakhmut
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Vladimir Putin’s Russian army is using convicts as “cannon fodder” in a desperate bid to make headway in Ukraine, a new report has claimed. Meanwhile Yevgeny Prigozhin has admitted the Wagner Group, Russia’s mercenary army, which he bankrolls, is struggling in its bid to capture the key eastern city of Bakhmut in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance.
Citing information from the Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War’s latest report, published yesterday, said convicts were deployed to Soledar in the Donetsk Oblast in October.
The strategy, which essentially apes Wagner’s own approach, is an “indicator that the Kremlin seeks to exploit convicts for future human wave attacks”.
Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu and Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov were creating “a convict cannon fodder reserve”, the report suggested.
Also speaking yesterday, Prigozhin described the situation as a “meat grinder”.
He admitted it would “not be taken tomorrow because there is heavy resistance and grinding.
“We will not be celebrating in the near future.”
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Russia amasses aircraft within range of Ukraine as new offensive begins
Western intelligence suggests Russia is amassing aircraft within striking distance of Ukraine as their latest offensive begins.
Intelligence reportedly shows Russia building up its air capabilities, showing it could throw more of its helicopters and jets into the conflict.
The intelligence comes as NATO allies gathered to discuss the next stage of the conflict.
One US administration official said: “The Russian land forces are pretty depleted so it is the best indication that they will turn this into an air fight.”
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Ukraine tops agenda at NATO meeting
Ukraine will be top of the agenda as Defence Secretary Ben Wallace joins his counterparts for a Nato meeting in Brussels.
The second day of the gathering of Nato defence ministers comes after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky toured London, Paris and Brussels as part of efforts to convince allies to arm Kyiv with fighter planes.
The request, which comes as the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches, is the latest plea from Mr Zelensky to Western allies.
The UK is set to become the first nation to start training Ukrainian pilots on Nato-standard aircraft, but the Government has indicated that any possibility of Britain lending jets to Kyiv is a long-term prospect.
Mr Wallace, who met with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov on Tuesday, said that Western allies would continue to “stand in solidarity” with the war-torn country.
He said: “I am very pleased to be back at Nato to continue the vital work to support Ukraine, as well as meeting with my defence counterparts.
“Our important work is ongoing, the UK and our Allies will stand in solidarity with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Desperate Putin using convicts as ‘cannon fodder’ as Prigozhin fears Bakhmut ‘meat grinder’
Vladimir Putin’s Russian army is using convicts as “cannon fodder” in a desperate bid to make headway in Ukraine, a new report has claimed.
Meanwhile Yevgeny Prigozhin has admitted the Wagner Group, Russia’s mercenary army, which he bankrolls, is struggling in its bid to capture the key eastern city of Bakhmut in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance.
Citing information from the Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War’s latest report, published yesterday, said convicts were deployed to Soledar in the Donetsk Oblast in October.
The strategy, which essentially apes Wagner’s own approach, is an “indicator that the Kremlin seeks to exploit convicts for future human wave attacks”.
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