Brian Mann

But his speech then turned to a kind of pep talk where he said Ukraine, with the support of allies, including the U.S., is forcing Russia to pay a steep price. You paid the occupiers back, Zelenskyy said. You brought the war back to Russia.

Well, Ukraine is finding ways to punch back. And let me describe some of that. The Russian army, and this is important, appears to be losing more than 30,000 soldiers killed and wounded every month. Last summer, of course, Ukraine invaded Russia in a surprise move. They still occupy a chunk of the Kursk region.

Well, Ukraine is finding ways to punch back. And let me describe some of that. The Russian army, and this is important, appears to be losing more than 30,000 soldiers killed and wounded every month. Last summer, of course, Ukraine invaded Russia in a surprise move. They still occupy a chunk of the Kursk region.

Well, Ukraine is finding ways to punch back. And let me describe some of that. The Russian army, and this is important, appears to be losing more than 30,000 soldiers killed and wounded every month. Last summer, of course, Ukraine invaded Russia in a surprise move. They still occupy a chunk of the Kursk region.

Last month, Ukraine's spy agency claimed credit for assassinating a top Russian general in Moscow. And Ukraine is launching frequent drone attacks of its own, striking industrial and military targets deep inside Russia. But Leila, every military analyst I talk to, even members of Ukraine's general staff, they say that all hasn't been enough. Ukraine is still on the back foot.

Last month, Ukraine's spy agency claimed credit for assassinating a top Russian general in Moscow. And Ukraine is launching frequent drone attacks of its own, striking industrial and military targets deep inside Russia. But Leila, every military analyst I talk to, even members of Ukraine's general staff, they say that all hasn't been enough. Ukraine is still on the back foot.

Last month, Ukraine's spy agency claimed credit for assassinating a top Russian general in Moscow. And Ukraine is launching frequent drone attacks of its own, striking industrial and military targets deep inside Russia. But Leila, every military analyst I talk to, even members of Ukraine's general staff, they say that all hasn't been enough. Ukraine is still on the back foot.

They're facing a desperate manpower shortage and deep fatigue among their soldiers.

They're facing a desperate manpower shortage and deep fatigue among their soldiers.

They're facing a desperate manpower shortage and deep fatigue among their soldiers.

Yeah, they're frightened. You know, there are growing doubts about support from allies. On Monday, the Biden administration announced another $2.5 billion in military aid. But President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in January 20th. Trump's promise to push for a quick end to this war. And he's voiced ambivalence about supporting Ukraine's war effort.

Yeah, they're frightened. You know, there are growing doubts about support from allies. On Monday, the Biden administration announced another $2.5 billion in military aid. But President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in January 20th. Trump's promise to push for a quick end to this war. And he's voiced ambivalence about supporting Ukraine's war effort.

Yeah, they're frightened. You know, there are growing doubts about support from allies. On Monday, the Biden administration announced another $2.5 billion in military aid. But President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in January 20th. Trump's promise to push for a quick end to this war. And he's voiced ambivalence about supporting Ukraine's war effort.

And then there's a second huge question here. How or if Ukraine can muster more soldiers for its exhausted army? And that all adds up to deep uncertainty. I spoke last night with Yaroslav Mishkov. He's 24 years old.

And then there's a second huge question here. How or if Ukraine can muster more soldiers for its exhausted army? And that all adds up to deep uncertainty. I spoke last night with Yaroslav Mishkov. He's 24 years old.

And then there's a second huge question here. How or if Ukraine can muster more soldiers for its exhausted army? And that all adds up to deep uncertainty. I spoke last night with Yaroslav Mishkov. He's 24 years old.

So there's a lot of pessimism here, especially among young people I've been talking to. Meshkov told me one of his best friends had just been conscripted into the army. So this New Year's, he and his friends weren't celebrating.

So there's a lot of pessimism here, especially among young people I've been talking to. Meshkov told me one of his best friends had just been conscripted into the army. So this New Year's, he and his friends weren't celebrating.

So there's a lot of pessimism here, especially among young people I've been talking to. Meshkov told me one of his best friends had just been conscripted into the army. So this New Year's, he and his friends weren't celebrating.

Thank you.