Russian forces in the south are seeking to cut off Ukraine's access to the sea, advancing toward the major port city of Mykolaiv after taking control of Kherson. A senior U.S. defense official said Russian troops in the south have not experienced the same logistical and supply issues that have held up the offensive near Kyiv.
The official told reporters Thursday that 90% of the Russian forces that had massed on the border are now inside Ukraine, and that Russia has launched 480 missiles since the start of the invasion. The "majority" of Ukraine's air and missile defense systems remain intact.
The head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency told Military Times that Ukrainian fighter jets have been striking the 40-mile Russian convoy outside of Kyiv, which U.S. and U.K. officials say remains "stalled" due to fuel and food shortages.
The city of Mariupol remains in Ukrainian control, but has been encircled by Russian forces and has endured continuous shelling for two days. City officials say the population is running out of electricity, heating and water, and the humanitarian situation is dire.
