A former U.S. Army general predicted Monday that the Russian military services could shortly run out of the manpower and weaponry wanted to continue on its invasion of Ukraine.
Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the previous commander of U.S. Military forces in Europe, reported recent moves by Russia to prolong its campaign to western Ukraine and reports that the state experienced requested China for military supplies might suggest the Kremlin is running out of steam.
“Russia’s final decision to changeover to a war of attrition, the place they are smashing towns, putting civilians on the highway for concern of getting murdered, they need 3 things to do this, and they never have those people a few factors,” Hodges said on MSNBC’s “Meet the Press.” “They really do not have the time, they do not have the manpower and I really don’t imagine they have the ammunition.”
Hodges’ comments were being buoyed by proof that Russia was working minimal on weaponry as Ukraine ongoing to mount a fiercer-than-expected resistance, notably close to the cash of Kyiv. He mentioned that if the West continued to support Ukrainians, it could be fewer than two months before the Russian military services achieved what he referred to as its end result stage.
“Assuming that we, the West, not only continue on but accelerate the shipping and delivery of the capabilities the Ukrainians will need, I believe in just the future 10 times that Russia is heading to culminate, which means they will not be equipped to keep on the assault any further more,” Hodges explained. “So, it’s variety of a race, essentially, if we give the Ukrainians more than enough so they can outlast Russia.”
Hodges additional that there was a major caveat to his prediction, a nod to Putin’s unpredictability during the invasion.
“I’ve been completely wrong a great deal,” he reported. “I really do not have a crystal ball below.”
This write-up at first appeared on HuffPost and has been up-to-date.