Marta Gichko10:32, 22.02.26

Western experts warn that without additional troops and weapons, Ukraine will find it difficult to contain the Russian offensive and regain lost territories.

Ukraine is outnumbered and outgunned by Russia in most areas of the front , including the Lyman, Siversk, Pokrovsk and Sloviansk areas. Kyiv needs another 250,000 troops to have any chance of defeating Russia on the battlefield, The Times writes.

The urban areas of Pokrovska and Myrnograd, as well as Hulyaipole in the southeast of Zaporizhia region, are partially or almost completely under the control of Russian forces. Further advances into Zaporizhia pose a threat of the use of kamikaze drones similar to those used in Kherson.

A Ukrainian officer in Pokrovsk stated:

“Russia is fully exploiting its advantages at the technical, operational and strategic levels. They have complete superiority in aviation and tactical ballistic missiles.”

Losses and dynamics of the offensive

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Russia has lost over 1.2 million military personnel since the beginning of the invasion, while Ukraine has lost around 600,000. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov noted:

“We killed or seriously wounded over 35,000 Russian soldiers last December. Our ambition is to increase this figure to 50,000 per month.”

The speed of Russian advance in the Pokrovska and Myrnograd area was only about 70 meters per day, which, according to experts, is one of the slowest rates of advance in the history of the war.

Challenges for Ukraine

Ukrainian officers note that the shortage of infantry and drone operators limits the army’s capabilities:

“We need more pilots for our drone teams and more infantry to cover them,” one of them said.

Retired US Air Force General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Philip Breedlove added:

“The lack of human resources is a challenge for Ukraine. Instead, all they need to do is turn to North Korea for additional soldiers.”

Western support and Ukraine’s needs

The European Parliament approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, €60 billion of which is for military purchases. Breedlove stressed: “Ukraine has proven that when they are given the opportunity to strike deep and precise blows at Russia, they use it very well.”

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for the immediate deployment of non-combat troops:

“If we can have a plan for deploying troops on the ground after the war, after Putin deigns to negotiate a ceasefire, why not do it now?”

A senior NATO source said that Ukraine needs at least 250,000 additional soldiers and more powerful weapons to turn the tide in the war.

Negotiations and economic pressure

Recent trilateral talks involving the US have failed to yield a breakthrough. Kurt Volker, a former US special representative, stated:

“Putin has shown no interest in the peace process. He has shown no movement or sense in the negotiations that he is ready to reach an agreement. The only way to achieve a ceasefire is to tighten the economic screws on Russia, including through sanctions on the oil and gas sector and more aggressive prosecution of its shadow fleet.”

Despite the growth of Russia’s military industry, its energy sector is in decline, partly due to sanctions. Volker said: “We need to continue to put pressure on the Russians to the point where they feel the need for a ceasefire. And I think that is achievable, but only if we continue to put pressure on revenues and they continue to lose people at the same rate that they are losing them.”

(c)UNIAN 2026