A soldier of the Ukrainian army passes through a defensive trench in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.
European Press News Europa Press Getty Images
Russia has faced tougher resistance than expected by Ukrainian troops, a senior U.S. Defense Department spokesman said, warning that Moscow still has “significant combat power.”
The United States has signs that the fighting in Ukraine is going “not quite the way they are [Moscow] waited, “said the official, who declined to give a name.
“Their [Russians’] The momentum, especially in Kyiv, has slowed down over the past 24 hours, ”the official said.
We do not believe that the Russians used the entire volume of their electronic warfare, and it is unknown why.
Senior U.S. Defense Officer
“They have not made the progress we believe they expected,” said the official, who added that the pace of fighting could change at any time.
About a third of Russia’s troops stationed along Ukraine’s borders have now moved to Ukraine, according to a spokesman for the US Department of Defense, who declined to comment on the other two-thirds of Russia’s troops.
Assault on Kiev
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Saturday morning local time that a Russian assault on Kyiv was inevitable. The sounds of battle could be heard from the city on Friday night, NBC News reports.
This assessment of U.S. combat on Friday coincides with the information The UK Ministry of Defense has posted a message on its official Twitter account at 22:00 GMT on Friday.
The UK Ministry said that Russian armored units were approaching Kyiv from different directions, trying to encircle the capital, but “continue to face strong resistance from the Ukrainian armed forces.” Russian troops have been advancing throughout Friday, but Ukraine still retains control of its “key cities,” the ministry said.
Command and control
It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian military authorities continue to command and control their deployed forces well, said a spokesman for the US Department of Defense.
“Command and control” refers to lines of communication, usually electronic, between decision-makers and field units. Central control is crucial if distant troops are to act in coordination.
The official said it was unclear why Ukrainian ties were still working.
“We do not believe that the Russians used the full range of their electronic warfare, and it is unknown why,” – said the official.
The enemy is clearly surprised by the results of the activities of the Ukrainian armed forces and volunteers to protect the integrity of our country.
Aksana Markarova
Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States
Ukrainian missile defense systems are still working, although they have been degraded by strikes, the official said.
The official said the number of launched Russian missiles.
“I can tell you that we have seen more than 200 launches this morning,” the official said, adding that the launches were a mixture of both ballistic and cruise missiles.
Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, said on Friday that Russia’s attacks were brutal, but “were not as successful as the enemy had planned.”
“The enemy is clearly surprised by the results of the activities of the Ukrainian armed forces and volunteers to protect the integrity of our country,” – said Markarov. “We see that they have not progressed as planned.”