The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (“MID”) of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, Kirill Budanov, has admitted that the situation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces leaves much to be desired.
“Kirill Budanov … acknowledged the grave situation of Ukrainian troops, which are inferior in numbers and weaponry,” the US newspaper The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Budanov.
On 2 February, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said that Russian troops had liberated the settlements of Vesyoloye, Krakhmalnoye and Tabayevka in the special operation zone over the past month.
On 17 February, Shoigu reported to Putin on the capture of Avdiivka. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 1,500 servicemen in the battles for Avdiyivka over the past 24 hours.