Ukraine war: Russian troops 'likely struggling with battle fatigue and attrition'
The Russian military is highly likely struggling with logistical issues which include "shortages of artillery ammunition and a lack of reserves", according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) as the Ukrainian counter-offensive continues.
In an intelligence update, the MOD said that heavy fighting has continued in two sectors South of Orikhiv as Ukrainian forces have engaged the Russian 58th Combined Arms Army.
"The 58th Combined Arms Army is highly likely struggling with battle fatigue and attrition in forward deployed regiments which have been in intense combat for over eight weeks," the MOD said.
"Further east, south of Velyka Novosilka, the defending Russian force is drawn from both the eastern and southern military districts, likely creating problems of co-ordination.
"Elements of the 5th Combined Army are likely to be under particular pressure, and probably also feel that they are long overdue for a rotation out of the frontline.
"Across the south, common problems for Russian commanders are highly likely to include shortage of artillery ammunition, a lack of reserves and problems securing the flanks of units in the defence."
This comes after Russia accused Ukraine of launching two drone attacks in two days on its capital Moscow.
Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin claimed that several drones were shot down overnight, but "one flew into the same tower at the Moskva City complex" that was targeted on Sunday.
Kyiv is yet to comment on the attack.
However, while the Russian military is reportedly struggling with artillery shortages, Ukraine has benefited from additional aid donated by the United States.
The recent military aid package worth $400m (£310m) included millions of rounds of ammunition, artillery shells and mortar rounds.
The equipment has been sent from existing US Department of Defense inventories and is the 43rd drawdown of its kind from the US to Ukraine since August 2021.
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