Ukraine’s Defense Minister Warns of Imminent Threat as Number of Russian Troops Ready for Assault Nearly Doubles

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has warned that Russia has nearly double the number of troops ready for an assault in the coming weeks than previously announced. Reznikov, who was in Paris to press the French government for weapons, said that Russia is likely to attack from either the east or the south.

In the east, Ukrainian commanders are facing a difficult decision of whether to withdraw from the city of Bakhmut or hold their positions despite the presence of hundreds of fighters from the Russian private military contractor Wagner. Ukrainian soldiers Andriy and Borisych have been living in a candle-lit bunker cut into the frozen earth and have been facing a seemingly endless firefight from the Wagner fighters.

Reznikov’s comments are the most detailed description yet of what Kyiv sees as an imminent threat. The Wagner way of war is to throw themselves against Ukrainian defenses and overwhelm them with sheer numbers. Ukrainian officials have been issuing warnings, but the Defense Minister’s comments have raised the stakes.

The situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly tense as the number of Russian troops ready for an assault is nearly double the number previously announced. The Ukrainian government is now calling on the international community to take action and provide support to help protect the country from a potential attack.