Russia has likely tasked mercenaries to hold sections of the frontline in Ukraine due to a “major shortage” of combat infantry, British defence chiefs said on Friday, as Kyiv stepped up its counter-offensive in the south of the country.
Greater reliance on paid fighters from the Russian private military company Wagner Group for frontline duties rather than their usual work in special operations is seen as a further sign that Russia’s military is under stress six months into the war.
