Day 668 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Russia Regains The Initiative

Day 668 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

• "New York Times": Russia regains the initiative on the front in Ukraine
• Estonia is ready to help Kyiv to mobilize Ukrainian men residing abroad
• UNIAN: According to a Ukrainian colonel, several dozen outdated F-16s will not help Kyiv push out the Russians
• The delivery of more ammunition and drones to Ukraine is an "urgent necessity", a French senator said
• Ukraine busted a corruption scheme to buy artillery shells
• 29 are those wishing to run for president of Russia

"New York Times": Russia regains the initiative on the front in Ukraine

Russian advances near Avdiivka (Donetsk region), as well as around Bakhmut and Marinka in the same region and Kupiansk in Kharkiv, show that Russia has firmly taken the initiative in much of the battlefield.

This is what the "New York Times" writes, and according to the publication, it is precisely the small successes of the Russian army that prompt the authorities in Kyiv to consider the decision to mobilize up to 500,000 soldiers for the grueling battles next year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke about a mobilization involving 450-500 thousand people in his annual address this week. "This is a serious number" and arguments are still needed to accept the proposal made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he said.

Earlier this week, the head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said he saw no alternative to large-scale mobilization. Kyiv is careful with such measures so as not to cause...