“Many see the Russian army as the second strongest in Ukraine”

• Blinken said in a speech on Friday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “strategic failure”.
• Russia is “much worse today than it was before the full invasion,” Blinken said.
• “Today many consider the Russian army to be the second strongest in Ukraine,” he said.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken blasted the Kremlin’s military, saying Russia was “much worse today than it was before the full-scale invasion” of Ukraine in February 2022.

Blinken said in a speech in Helsinki, Finland. Today, the Russian army is considered by many to be the second strongest in Ukraine.

In his speech, Blinken called Russia’s war against Ukraine a “strategic failure” that reduced Russia’s “military, economic and diplomatic power and influence for years to come”.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine took a heavy toll on Ukrainian citizens and Ukrainian forces – and its army. Even the leader of the Russian Army’s auxiliary mercenary Wagner Group complained about the lack of support and ammunition on the front lines.

While Blinken called for a stronger Ukraine and peace between the two countries, he rejected calls for a cease-fire as Russia controls territory it has seized in eastern Ukraine.

“It would legitimize Russia’s land grab,” Blinken said. Reward the aggressor and punish the victim.

Russia is currently facing a counterattack. LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s intelligence services said on Friday that Russia was struggling between using its resources to fight in Ukraine or against small-scale militant attacks within its borders.