The Russian military is calling for reinforcements, the UK says

Russia is calling for military reinforcements across the country to deal with “continuing staff losses” in Ukraine, according to a public intelligence report released by the UK Defense Ministry. Today marks the 21st day of the Russian invasion of the country.

“Russia is increasingly expecting the creation of additional troops to strengthen and replace its personnel. Russia is struggling to carry out offensive operations in the face of protracted Ukrainian opposition,” the CNN International report said.

The UK ministry said Russia was re-establishing forces from as far away as its eastern military district, the Pacific Navy and Armenia, and was increasingly turning to other sources of militancy, such as “private military companies, Syrians and other mercenaries”.

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The British assessment added that “Russia will use these forces to retain occupied territory and to release its combat power to renew stalled offensive operations.”

The document says that as the bridges were demolished by Ukrainian forces, Russian forces trying to enter major cities moved slowly.

“We know that Vladimir Putin’s plans are not going as planned,” British Foreign Secretary Liz Tross told Sky News yesterday. “He did not make the progress he had hoped for and we know the barriers we have applied to are working,” he added.