A top Ukrainian commander has warned Russia’s forces are ready to “swallow” Europe whole, as he urged Western leaders to prepare their defences for Putin’s army.
Deputy commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade, Maksym Zhorin, made the remarks during an interview he gave from an undisclosed location in the southern Donetsk region, and cautioned European allies not to be complacent about Russia’s military ambitions.
“Create serious defence systems that could counteract Russia because it will undoubtedly open its mouth and try to swallow the rest of Europe,” he told The Independent.
His comments follow a slew of warnings from Ukrainian officials that Russia’s warmongering won’t end in Ukraine, as they continue to call on allies to release much-needed military aid (held up in the US and the EU by political wrangling.)
Less than two months ago Zhorin helped lead an evacuation from the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka partly because Ukrainian forces had been left with a considerable disadvantage by the lack of further aid packages from allies.
READ MORE: EU scrambles to expand as Europe teeters on the edge of war
Zhorin said the move was coming too late, and he would be looking to sign up even younger fighters.
“I do not think it is enough,” he told the outlet. “I would decrease the age further. As difficult as this is to say, young people must fight.
“It is too difficult to keep the older soldiers motivated and they often have chronic health issues. Young people are more motivated, more energetic and more willing to fight.”
The problems brought about by belated mobilisation drives and hold-ups in further Western aid are having an impact across the frontline but are being acutely felt in the Avdiivka direction, the outlet reports.
Zhorin says Ukraine’s forces are only able to launch localised counter-attacks that “are more a form of defence attack as opposed to a large-scale counter”. The Kremlin’s forces in recent months have stepped up their aerial barrages of Ukraine, hitting urban areas.
The approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line is largely deadlocked, but Kyiv officials say Moscow’s troops have recently been probing for Ukrainian weaknesses on the front line ahead of an expected large-scale Russian offensive in the summer.
The deputy commander also offered a chilling piece of advice for European nations watching the horror unfold in Ukraine.
Addressing Ukraine’s allies directly he said: “Use this time wisely. While Russia is attacking Ukraine, prepare for your own war with Russia.”
