Ukraine pulls back from 3 villages in east, Zelenskiy pleads for weapons

Ukrainian servicemen of the 10th Edelweiss Separate Mountain Assault Brigade launch a Leleka reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine April 26, 2024. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's top commander said on Sunday Kyiv's outnumbered troops had fallen back to new positions west of three villages on the eastern front where Russia has concentrated significant forces in several locations.

The statement by Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi reflected Ukraine's deteriorating position in the east that Kyiv hopes it can stabilise once it takes delivery of U.S. weapons under a $61 billion aid package approved this week.