Ukraine gives up ground for lives, builds up battalions and F-16s for counteroffensive

Ukraine is still suffering from Russian superiority in men and arms, and is pleading with allies to be allowed to strike Russia at home

Image purporting to show damage to the Rostov-on-Don submarine

Ukraine continued its gradual rearguard action during the past week, ceding ground in feet and inches to preserve the lives of its soldiers, while managing to prevent a catastrophic Russian breakthrough anywhere along its frontline.

Meanwhile it began to receive its first F-16 fighter jets fro…