Western provisions of air defense systems and missiles remain crucial for Ukraine as Russian forces attempt to adapt to current Ukrainian air defense capabilities and as Ukraine develops its defense industrial base (DIB). Ukrainian forces are adapting to battlefield difficulties from equipment shortages but are struggling to completely compensate for artillery ammunition shortages and insufficient electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Donetsk City and Verbove, and positional engagements continued along the entire line of contact. The Ukrainian Resistance Center reported on January 8 that there are more than 450,000 Russian military personnel in Ukraine as of December 2023. [45] Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that the situation in the Kupyansk direction remains difficult but that Ukrainian forces have a good command of the situation.

Source: The Guardian January 09, 2024 05:05 UTC