US: Russia Deploys Two-Thirds of Troops for Ukraine Invasion...Struggling More Than Expected

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Department of Defense has estimated that Russia has already deployed about two-thirds of its combat forces prepared for the invasion of Ukraine, and still has about one-third of additional troops that can be deployed near the Ukraine border. As Russian forces struggle on the fourth day of the invasion without capturing the capital Kyiv or major cities, concerns about a prolonged conflict are spreading.

According to CNN on the 27th (local time), a senior U.S. Department of Defense official stated at a press conference that "Russia has deployed two-thirds of its prepared forces for the invasion of Ukraine," adding, "This means Russia still has one-third of its forces near the outskirts of Ukraine that can be deployed." The official also announced, "As of this morning, Russian forces have launched over 320 missiles into Ukraine," noting, "Most of these are short-range ballistic missiles."

Earlier, U.S. military authorities revealed that Russia had concentrated at least 150,000 troops near the border in preparation for the invasion of Ukraine. Now entering the fourth day of the invasion, contrary to Russia’s intention for a swift victory, fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces has prolonged battles in major urban areas, raising concerns about a long-term conflict.

Facing enormous war costs due to large-scale troop deployment and various logistical issues, the Russian government has also initiated unconditional talks with Ukraine. On the same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced in a statement that "the Ukrainian and Russian delegations have agreed to hold unconditional negotiations near the Pripyat River at the Belarus border."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken an extreme step by ordering heightened alert status for nuclear forces. According to the Associated Press, in a televised address, President Putin said, "I have instructed the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces on special combat duty," criticizing, "Western countries are not only taking unfriendly actions against Russia in the economic sector but even high-ranking NATO officials are making aggressive remarks against Russia."

As the invasion of Ukraine is struggling contrary to expectations, and with the West’s full-scale sanctions and announcements of weapons support for Ukraine continuing, it is analyzed that Russia has brought nuclear weapons out as a diplomatic pressure card to pressure Ukraine and the West.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.