'Weapons and ammunition must reach front line faster'

Askold Krushelnycky speaks to a Ukrainian colonel who welcomes new military aid but pleads for speedier delivery

Ukraine's top military commander has been uncharacteristically open about the fact that some of Kyiv's troops have been withdrawn from several frontline positions in eastern Ukraine as Russia intensifies its attacks.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi made the comments as Russian forces have been pressing hard since they captured their biggest prize this year, Avdiivka, north of Donetsk city, eastern Ukraine, in February.

Recently Russian forces have advanced to the town of Novokalynove, north of Avdiivka, and into Keramik, northwest of there. There has also been significant movement around Ocheretyne, and Moscow claimed on Sunday its troops captured Novobakhmutivka, 16km (10 miles) north of Avdiivka and, closer, heavy fighting is reported near Berdychi. Yesterday, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed it has taken another village, Semenivka.

Moscow’s push has sought to take advantage of Ukraine running low of vital ammunition and weapons thanks to political infighting in the US Congress that delayed the passing of a $61bn (£48bn) aid package until last week.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday that these weapons were starting to arrive in Ukraine in small amounts but deliveries needed to be faster. Mr Zelensky told a joint press conference in Kyiv alongside Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg that the situation on the battlefield is directly dependent on the speed of ammunition supplies to Ukraine.

“Timely support for our army. Today I don’t see anything positive on this point yet. There are supplies, they have slightly begun, this process needs to be sped up,” he said.