Chief NATO: Ukraine in good position to clear occupied territory

The statement by the chief of the north-Atlantic military alliance came as Kiev reported that fierce fighting was under way to gain control of Bahmut, a town in eastern Ukraine that has been the focus of the Russian offensive.

Stoltenberg, speaking to reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, said that “more than 98 percent” of military equipment promised by the Allies has already been handed over to Ukraine.

“Talk about over 1.550 armoured vehicles, 230 tanks and other equipment, including large quantities of”, he said at a media conference with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

Everything else, we have trained and equipped more than nine new Ukrainian armor brigades. This will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue retaking occupied territory”, Stoltenberg said.

Exactly how many troops were involved in these exercises are unknown, but in the Western armies, an brigade has about three to five thousand soldiers.

However, the chief of the military alliance warned that “should never underestimate Russia” despite the unprecedented “ ” Ukraine received from its partners and allies.

Moscow was “ready to send thousands of bodies with very high percentages of victims”, he said.

Stoltenberg's statements came amid reports that Kiev was preparing a long-awaited counteroffensive that could begin once the weather heats up and the terrain improve.