Russia is preparing to deploy a new force of fighter jets and attack helicopters to gain ground in Ukraine, intelligence officials have warned.
Western analysts said a build-up of aircraft on Ukraine’s border could prompt Putin’s forces to try to step up the offensive in the Donbass region.
It comes as NATO defense ministers meet for a two-day summit in Brussels to discuss plans for military aid to the war-torn country.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has told alliance members they must increase supplies to ensure Ukraine can fight Russian aggression as Europe risks running out of ammunition.
Former Prime Minister of Norway, Mr Stoltenberg, said: “It has become a war of attrition and therefore a logistical battle. It is a tremendous effort by the Allies to actually get the ammunition, fuel and spare parts that are needed.’
Jens Stoltenberg has called on the 30 countries in the military alliance to ramp up supplies to ensure Ukraine can retaliate against Russian aggression
According to Ukrainian officials, Moscow is planning a much broader offensive against the eastern Donbass regions, as well as new attacks on Kharkiv in the northeast and Zaporizhia in the southeast of the country. In the photo: Ukrainian soldier in the destroyed Retroville shopping center
He added: “We see no signs that President Putin is preparing for peace. What we see is the opposite, he is preparing for more war, for new offensives and new attacks.’
READ MORE HERE: Mark Milley says Russia has LOST the war: Joint Chiefs chairman claims Putin has been defeated ‘strategically, operationally and tactically’ and is now a ‘global pariah’
According to Ukrainian officials, Moscow is planning a much broader offensive in the eastern Donbass regions, as well as new attacks on Kharkiv in the northeast and Zaporizhia in the southeast of the country with aircraft and thousands of tanks and armored vehicles.
Yesterday, in a show of force, Putin sent two nuclear-powered bombers west over the Bering Sea, which separates Russia from Alaska.
Such actions were common during the Cold War, but this is the first time the Russian Federation has taken such a measure.
Ukraine is reportedly preparing to use British long-range missiles to hit Crimea in Russia as Russia prepares for another wave of attacks.
President Zelenskyy is calling on Western allies to provide more missiles and warplanes to fuel the attacks, warning that without them the war could “stagnate”.
Rishi Sunak responded to his request by admitting that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to providing military aid to the UK to help fight the Russian invasion.
Ukrainian forces are firing about 6,000 artillery shells a day, much faster than their Western allies can resupply.
Russia uses up to 20,000 cartridges a day, which is the amount European factories can produce in a month. However, no decision has yet been taken on the delivery of Western fighter jets to the Ukrainian army.
Kiev urgently requested air support, to which allies had a mixed response.
Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraine’s defense minister, held up a photo of a fighter jet yesterday when asked what he would like from the meeting to provide more weapons to the country.
The US and UK have not handed out jets for now, but the UK has announced a training program for Ukrainian fighter pilots.
Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the Netherlands takes Ukraine’s request for F-16 jets “very seriously”. Her Polish counterpart, Mariusz Blaszczak, vowed to put pressure on other Western allies.
“We are aware that our potential in this area is limited because we only have 48 F-16 aircraft, but the Allies have much more potential, so I think this conversation will end with positive decisions,” he said.
Ukrainian forces are firing about 6,000 artillery shells a day, much faster than their Western allies can resupply. On the photo: Ukrainian soldiers on patrol in Bakhmut
Russia uses up to 20,000 cartridges a day, which is the amount European factories can produce in a month. Pictured: Ammunition for a howitzer during training at a Bundeswehr base
Mr Stoltenberg stressed that the aircraft issue “is not the most pressing issue at the moment, but it is an ongoing discussion”.
“The urgent need now is to deliver what has already been promised. The mechanized infantry fighting vehicles and other main battle tanks that were promised,” he said.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said 15 NATO countries had pledged to send main battle tanks to Ukraine and 22 were ready to provide infantry fighting vehicles. “The Kremlin is still betting that it can wait for us,” he said.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
