Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “off schedule,” and Vladimir Putin’s forces are “in some significant trouble zones,” Defense Minister Sky News said.
Ben Wallace said the invasion, launched last week, did not have the “strategic impact” that Moscow believed it had.
Updates live when conflict enters on the fifth day
Key events in the Ukrainian crisis:
• Russia raises key rate to 20% after ruble falls to record low
• Putin orders to bring nuclear deterrence forces into high combat readiness
• Zelensky: Ukraine and Russia will hold talks on the border with Belarus
• Ukraine claims control of key city of Kharkiv after violent clashes
His comments came after the Ministry of Defense shared information about the latest situation on the ground in Ukraine.
In a tweet, the Defense Ministry said: “The bulk of Putin’s ground forces remain more than 30km north of Kyiv, their advance has been slowed by Ukrainian forces defending Gostomel airfield, a key Russian target during the first day of the conflict.
“Heavy fighting continues around Chernihiv and Kharkiv, but both cities remain under Ukrainian control.
“Ukraine’s magical failures and stubborn resistance continue to thwart Russia’s advance.
“Despite long-term attempts to conceal the details of the conflict from the Russian population, the Russian Armed Forces were forced to acknowledge the losses for the first time.”
Boris Johnson spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday night and promised to do “everything in his power to help defense aid from Britain and allies reach” the country.
Zelensky told the Prime Minister that the next 24 hours will be a “crucial period” for Ukraine.
Mr Johnson has announced that close family members will be able to join Ukrainians who have settled in the UK, fleeing the Russian invasion.
In an interview with Sky News, the Minister of Defense said that this statement was only a “first step” and “we are fully considering the various options we can use to accept Ukrainians in need.”
Mr Wallace said the Russian president’s nuclear warning was “a great attempt to divert attention from his problems in Ukraine”.
Asked whether Mr Putin was “crazy enough” to start a nuclear conflict, Mr Wallace said he “has certainly done a lot of irrationality lately”.
But he added: “I don’t think I’m going to speculate on what he will do or not, but that’s why we’re all keeping our deterrents ready in the West.”
