Russia lacks ‘numbers’ for major Ukraine breakthrough: Nato commander

Ukraine said on Thursday it was trying to “stabilise” the front line in the northeast Kharkiv region

By AFP
May 17, 2024
Ukrainian soldiers seen in the northeast Kharkiv region in this undated photo. — Reuters/file
Ukrainian soldiers seen in the northeast Kharkiv region in this undated photo. — Reuters/file  

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Russia does not have sufficient forces on the ground to make a major breakthrough in Ukraine after launching an offensive in the Kharkhiv region, a top Nato commander said on Thursday.

“The Russians don´t have the numbers necessary to do a strategic breakthrough... more to the point they don´t have the skill and the ability to do it,” US General Christopher Cavoli, Nato Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told journalists.

“I´ve been in very close contact with our Ukrainian colleagues and I´m confident that they will hold the line,” Cavoli said after Ukraine´s military briefed Nato´s top brass.

Ukraine said on Thursday it was trying to “stabilise” the front line in the northeast Kharkiv region, where Moscow has made its largest territorial gains in 18 months after launching a fast-moving offensive last week. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was sending yet more reinforcements to the area.