Russian Official Admits Putin's War Going Badly: 'We're on the Defensive'A Russian official admitted Russian President Vladimir Putin's military is "playing catch up" against Ukraine during a recent appearance on Russian state TV.However, Ukraine responded with a stronger-than-anticipated defense effort, bolstered by Western military aid, that has prevented Moscow from making substantial military gains.Andrei Gurulyov, a member of the state Duma and ex-general of the Russian military, acknowledged Moscow's struggles while speaking on Russian state TV.He griped about Ukraine receiving military aid from the West—as the Kremlin has repeatedly spoken out against this assistance—that has been attributed to turning the tide of the war in favor of the Ukrainians.After months of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleading with U.S. officials to send longer-range weapons, the Biden administration appears poised to provide Ukraine with Patriot systems."