Russia started new offensive early and with too few soldiers, as it tried to get ahead of US aid to Ukraine, experts say

• Russia started its latest offensive prematurely and that "undermined" its success, experts said.
• The Institute for the Study of War said it started its Kharkiv attack with an "understrength force."
• Russia was trying to "establish a foothold before the arrival of resumed US military aid," it said.

Russia began its latest offensive in northern Ukraine too early and without enough soldiers because it wanted to get ahead of Western aid heading to Ukraine, experts said.