Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Monday the difficulties his army is facing at the frontlines due to delays in military foreign aid and diminished morale following their defeat in Avdiivka.

The Ukrainian military is also grappling with severe deficits in their arsenal, specifically artillery, air defenses, and long-range weapons, that are not being balanced out due to the constant delay in the promised $60 billion military aid package by the United States. 

"The situation is extremely difficult in several parts of the front line, where Russian troops have concentrated maximum reserves," Zelensky said following a field visit to troops in Kharkiv. He added that these specific vulnerabilities are being exploited by Russian troops and giving them an advantage. 

The Ukrainian army is also foreseeing possible defeats in other towns following the Avdiivka loss.

What comes beyond Avdiivka

Ukrainian forces have pulled out of the eastern city of Avdiivka to prevent being surrounded, according to army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. This move represents a significant shift on the frontlines, surpassing the previous change when Russian forces gained control of Bakhmut in May of the preceding year.

Syrskyi, who recently assumed the position, explained in a Facebook post on Saturday that the decision was made to “preserve the lives and health of servicemen”, stabilize the situation, and relocate troops to more advantageous defensive positions.

In Robotyne, a town renowned for the Ukrainian hold at the start of the war, Russian soldiers have advanced and launched several operations and attacks, Ukrainian Senior commander Oleksandr Tarnavsky said. 

Selydove, a village in the vicinity, is anticipated to be next. 

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'Ukraine's inevitable defeat'

The war in Ukraine is nearing the final stage as the Ukrainian army will not be able to avoid defeat, former CIA intelligence analyst Larry Johnson said.

In a YouTube interview with Dialogue Works, Johnson explained that Ukraine was not being beaten in "only one spot," detailing that they do not have enough air power or manpower to face Russia.

With the impending second anniversary of the war, Ukrainian forces find themselves facing significant challenges along the frontlines. They are grappling with diminished and fatigued ranks, exacerbated by a shortage of artillery shells, which has been further complicated by the delay in receiving a substantial funding package from the United States.

He detailed how the Russian forces are "encircling Ukrainian troops who are in positions the only way out is to flee on foot." 

Ukraine is suffering a "devastating defeat", Johnson explained, and with no US resources or manpower delivered to the front lines to help Ukraine defeat Russia, he believes the war is racing a potential "endgame".

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