Ukraine equipping up to 40,000 ‘storm’ troops ahead of counter attack

Eight brigades said to be ‘fully formed’ by Kyiv – as Russia aims to ramp up missile production

Ukrainian forces have faced heavy fighting around the eastern city of Bakhmut for months (Reuters)

Ukraine’s interior minister has said that eight “storm” brigades – comprising of up to 40,000 troops – are being re-equipped as Ukraine prepares to launch a counteroffensive against Moscow’s invasion.

The brigades are “fully formed” but Ihor Klymenko said that they require two to three weeks of instruction before they are tasked with “appropriate offensive assault operations” alongside the Ukrainian army. Mr Klymenko said that Kyiv was also planning the “formation of additional units” in parallel with this training, during an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

At the same time, Russia’s defence minister has ordered the production of missiles in the country to be doubled “as soon as possible” and its weapons supply rapidly increased. Western and Ukrainian officials have been suggesting for months that shortages of artillery munitions and missiles are undermining Russia’s war, which is now more than 14 months old.