UK Boosts Ukraine Aid as Officials Says Russia Bleeds Troops, Summer Offensive in Doubt

The UK announced increased support for Ukraine, noting heavy Russian troop losses—including near Pokrovsk—and saying Ukrainian counterattacks have slowed Russia’s advance. Western officials now question whether Russia can generate enough manpower for another major summer offensive, according to a UK briefing held on February 23.

In remarks in the briefing, the UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, said Russia’s losses across the campaign were “almost unimaginable,” citing more than 4,000 tanks and 10,000 armored vehicles destroyed, and describing Russia’s naval and air forces as severely strained by the war. 

The briefing pointed to the cost of Russia’s advance in the Pokrovsk area, where a western official said that after 18 months of fighting and “thousands upon thousands of Russian losses,” the battle could “just about” be called in Russia’s favor, though Ukrainian resistance remained on the northern edge of Pokrovsk and the value of the capture was “debatable” given the losses required. 

Looking ahead to the spring and summer, the same western official said Russia’s ability to mount a new offensive—whether aimed at Ukraine’s “fortress belt” around Konstantinovka and Slovyansk or renewed drives toward Orikhiv and Zaporizhzhia city—would depend on manpower, noting that Russia “lost more men over the last three months than they were able to recruit.” 

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Another exchange in the briefing cited an estimate of roughly 30,000 to 35,000 Russian recruits per month, while describing recent casualty levels as sustained and operationally significant for Russia’s ability to generate offensive power. 

The statement said a 70-person headquarters for the planned Multinational Force for Ukraine was already operating and that preparations were backed by £200 million (about $254 million) in funding. 

Eventually, it was reported that the United Kingdom announced expanded military and financial assistance to Ukraine, including additional air defense systems and missiles.

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