Russia is “quickly running out” of weapons ten months into its war on Ukraine and desperately seeking help from other countries, a US expert has said. Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has branded opposite number Vladimir Putin a “coward” – and claimed he was “hiding” behind ordinary Russians. Speaking to CNN, retired US Army lieutenant general Mark Hertlng said: “The truth of the matter is that Russia is attempting to gain partners with different countries, who have different types of ammunition that they can help supply this war. And I think Mr. Putin is realising that he’s quickly running out of the kinds of munitions he needs to continue this fight.” Referring to Putin’s conference call with China’s President, Xi Jinping, this week, Mr Hertling added: “Certainly, Mr Putin is attempting to shore up his partnership with President Xi. But I think President Xi a long time ago realsed this mission is making Russia and Mr Putin a pariah on the world stage. “They have promised cooperation, political cooperation in the official statement. But as you saw, Mr. Putin was pressing it a little bit, saying, hey, we want military cooperation.”In his televised New Year address, Mr Zelensky said: “Your leader wants to show you that he’s leading from the front, and his military is behind him. But in fact he is hiding. He’s hiding behind his military, his missiles, the walls of his residences and palaces. “He’s hiding behind you, and he’s burning your country and your future. No-one will forgive you for terror. No-one in the world will forgive you for that. Ukraine will not forgive.”
[THIS IS A LIVE BLOG – SCROLL DOWN FOR REGULAR UPDATES]