US Government Reports That Russian Advancement Is Being Slowed Down By Ukrainian Forces

The US government has reported that Russian advancement is being slowed down by Ukrainian forces, as we read in Radio Free Europe:

U.S. and British officials say Russia is facing tougher-than-expected resistance in Ukraine, slowing its progress toward the imperiled capital, Kyiv, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a defiant message in the face of overwhelming Russian forces.

A senior U.S. defense official on February 26 told Reuters that it appears Russian commanders did not plan enough fuel and logistic support but were now attempting to adjust to cover shortages.

The official said U.S. intelligence had seen signs of “viable Ukrainian resistance” in the country.

“We know that they [the Russian forces] have not made the progress that they have wanted to make, particularly in the north. They have been frustrated by what they have seen is a very determined resistance,” the official said.

“It has slowed them down,” the official added.

Separately, the British Defense Ministry said Russia’s advance had slowed, also citing likely logistics problems and “strong Ukrainian resistance.”

“Russian forces are bypassing major Ukrainian population centers while leaving forces to encircle and isolate them. Overnight clashes in Kyiv are likely to have involved limited numbers of prepositioned Russian groups. The capture of Kyiv remains Russia’s primary military objective,” a Defense Ministry statement said.

Still, the Ukrainian capital appeared to be under imminent threat as massive numbers of Russian troops closed in from northern, southern, and eastern routes and as missile blasts continue to be heard in and around the city of some 2.6 million people.

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