The New York Times: Russia gains ground in Ukraine using manpower advantage

Russian troops have seized the initiative along a large part of the battlefield in Ukraine, including advances near Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Marinka, as well as Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, writes The New York Times.

According to the outlet, Russian troops have made small territorial gains on Ukraine’s eastern front in recent weeks due to a manpower advantage.

According to The New York Times, Russian troops have made progress on the battlefield during a critical moment for Kyiv, since Ukraine has been facing difficulties securing military aid from the U.S. and the E.U.

“Currently, the situation on the front line is difficult and is gradually deteriorating. Without American ammunition, we are beginning to lose territory that was hard won this summer,” said Yehor Chernev, the deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, in an interview with the news outlet.

The Russian army’s successes on the front lines are forcing Ukraine’s leadership to consider the possibility of mobilizing up to 500,000 Ukrainians. Head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said he sees no alternatives to a large-scale mobilization to make up for the army’s losses.