British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who was briefed by intelligence chiefs on Wednesday morning, said Russia’s advance was “sharpening” in parts of Ukraine. Speaking as Ukraine celebrates its 31st Independence Day, Mr Wallace told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Russia’s progress can be measured in meters a week, not miles. It is scraping across small areas of the country in a bid to get ahead – a stark contrast to the three-day special operation touted at the start of it six months ago. “We almost accept, well, accept, the kind of observations of Russian casualties to be – if we combine deaths, injuries, desertions – over 80,000 of their armed forces. That’s 80,000 in six months compared to 15,000 lost in a decade in Afghanistan. “I think we’re in a position where Russia is in a very fragile position.” Russian President Vladimir Putin (EPA) He added that the morale of Ukrainian troops is “leagues ahead” of the morale of Russia’s “poorly trained” troops. In a briefing on Wednesday morning, the UK Ministry of Defense also said Russian commanders were expecting a “major Ukrainian counter-offensive” while suffering from a shortage of military equipment. He said: “The Donbass offensive is making little progress and Russia is expecting a major Ukrainian counteroffensive. Damaged Russian military vehicles are on Khreshchatyk main street to celebrate Independence Day (Reuters) “Operationally, Russia suffers from shortages in ammunition, vehicles and personnel. Morale is poor in many parts of her army and her army is significantly undermanned. Its diplomatic power has declined and its long-term economic prospects are bleak.” The last six months of the war proved both “expensive and strategically damaging”, the Foreign Office added. The war has killed thousands of civilians, forced more than a third of Ukraine’s 41 million people from their homes, left cities in ruins and roiled global markets. It is largely deadlocked with no immediate prospect of peace talks. Meanwhile, Ukrainians on Wednesday mark 31 years since their liberation from the Russian-dominated Soviet Union. It will be observed with subdued celebrations under the threat of further Russian attacks. Public gatherings are banned in the capital Kyiv and a curfew is in place in the frontline eastern city of Kharkiv, which has weathered months of shelling. Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and his wife Olena attend a memorial service at a monument (AFP via Getty) The government left the remains of burned-out Russian tanks and armored vehicles as war trophies in central Kiev in a show of defiance. On Tuesday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of the possibility of “despicable Russian provocations”. “We are fighting against the most formidable threat to our state and also at a time when we have achieved the greatest level of national unity,” Mr Zelensky said.
