US defense secretary said Russia's invasion of Ukraine has 'essentially stalled' and that Putin's strategy is feeding his troops 'into a wood chipper'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin thinks that Russian forces on the ground in Ukraine have stopped working.

During an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation" that aired on Sunday, Austin shared his assessment. Austin said the situation had the effect of Putin moving his forces into a wood chipper.

The Ukrainians have used the equipment that we gave them to be very effective. He said that there was significant resolve on the part of the Ukrainian people.

According to US estimates, more than 7,000 Russian troops have been killed. More than three weeks have passed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched by Russia.

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Mariupol is a port city in southeastern Ukraine. A theater with over 1,000 people and an art school with over 400 people are some of the civilian targets that have been struck by Russia.

Austin told CBS that he thought there had been deliberate targeting of cities and towns by Russia in recent weeks as a result of the military campaign being paused.

Austin said that Putin has been unable to achieve the goals he wants to achieve as quickly as he wants.