Putin’s forces ‘dig in 60km behind Ukraine front line’ as Russia fears more losses

It comes as 10 million Ukrainians left without power as snowfall covers Kyiv

Russian forces are digging new trenches some 60km back from the current front line in Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), suggesting the Kremlin is bracing for further Ukrainian advances.

After retreating from Kherson – the only regional capital captured during the war so far – Russia continues to lose ground and its forces are focussing on reorganising, preparing and refitting defences across Ukraine, the MoD said in its latest intelligence update.

Vladimir Putin’s forces have constructed “new trench systems” near the border of Crimea, as well as near the Siverskyi-Donets River between Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast, it said.