Live updates: UK says Russia's shift proves it has problems

LONDON — Britain’s Ministry of Defense says Russia's stated focus on the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine “is likely a tacit admission that it is struggling to sustain more than one significant axis of advance.”

In a daily war assessment, the ministry said Wednesday that Russian units suffering heavy losses have been forced to return to Belarus and Russia to reorganize and supply. It says such activity is placing further pressure on Russia’s already strained logistics and demonstrates the difficulties Russia is having reorganizing its units in forward areas within Ukraine.

It noted, however, that the shift is unlikely to mean relief for civilians in cities that have been subjected to relentless Russian bombardments. It expects Moscow will continue to compensate for reduced ground maneuvers through mass artillery and missile strikes.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

— Russian pledge to scale back in Ukraine draws skepticism

— UN food chief: Ukraine war’s food crisis is worst since WWII

— After Russian forces pull back, a shattered town breathes

— Sanctioned oligarch Abramovich seen at Russia-Ukraine talks

— Pentagon may need more budget funding to help Ukraine

— Ukraine’s other fight: Growing food for itself and the world

— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism Tuesday night about Russia’s announcement that it would significantly scale back military operations near Ukraine’s capital and a northern city.

“Yes, we can call those signals that we hear at the negotiations positive. But those signals...