Russian troops bogged down, Pentagon says

Bloomberg

Russian forces have been slowed by supply line and morale problems in the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman said. The European Union proposed a ban on Russian crude oil phased in over the next six months, part of the bloc’s sixth package of sanctions as President Vladimir Putin seeks to cement military gains in Ukraine.
Germany threw its weight behind the EU plan, though Hungary said it won’t back the proposal as it stands and other nations asked for more flexibility. The Kremlin called the measure a “double-edged sword” as it will impact households. The EU is also proposing to cut off Sberbank and other lenders from the international SWIFT messaging network used by financial institutions.
Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing the 10-week mark. Having failed to achieve a quick victory, Moscow is focused on reinforcing both military and political control over territory taken so far, according to people familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking.
The UK will provide 45 million pounds to help Ukrainians most in need
because of the war, the British government announced. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement that the assistance would support “the most vulnerable in Ukraine, particularly women and children, who are facing increased risk of sexual violence and exploitation.”
The money will be directed to United Nations agencies and other relief organisations working in Ukraine, according to the statement.
More than 300 civilians have been evacuated from war-blasted Mariupol in a new “safe passage operation,” according to Osnat Lubrani, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine.
“Many came with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, and we will now support them during this difficult time, including with much-needed psychological support,” Lubrani said.
The civilians in this latest evacuation came from Mariupol and other cities and towns and are “receiving assistance in Zaporizhzhia,” Lubrani added.
Russian troops have not made the kind of progress in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine “that they have wanted to make,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters, citing problems with supply lines and morale. “We don’t believe they have solved their logistics and sustainment issues” he said, adding that Russian troops are “wary” of getting out too far ahead of their supply lines.