understood Western concerns over the timeframe of the offensive.

understood Western concerns over the timeframe of the offensive.

"It seems to me that there are not enough people or equipment," he said.

On that front, President Volodymyr Zelensky secured a long-awaited win this week during a visit to the Netherlands and Denmark, where he secured dozens of F-16 fighter jets.

But their rollout will take time and analysts doubt the immediate impact they will have on the battlefield.

"The news is as welcome as the delay is infuriating. The training will take months, and the decision could have been made 18 months ago, or even earlier," Edward Lucas, a pro-Ukrainian observer, wrote recently for the CEPA think tank.

Bielieskov, the analyst in Kyiv, meanwhile said Ukraine needed cruise and ballistic missiles -- and well as more artillery shells -- to sustain its attack and make progress.

In the capital, officials have warned of muted independence day celebrations on August 24.

Its mayor, former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, announced large-scale events had been cancelled due to the threat of punitive Russian strikes and urged residents to listen out for air raid sirens.

Strolling between the mauled Russian hardware in central Kyiv, Anastasia, 21, told AFP that she -- like the West -- wanted to see faster progress on the front.

She said Ukraine's allies abroad could help make that a reality by giving more arms as soon as possible.

And she offered another suggestion for how they could help bring about speedier victories.