In the embattled regions of Eastern Ukraine, the relentless sound of artillery fire has become an unending reality for soldiers entrenched on the front lines. For gun commander Oleksandr Kozachenko, the situation has grown increasingly dire.
The U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer, once a crucial asset for his unit, now fires less than a tenth of the ammunition it previously did. “It’s a luxury if we can fire 30 shells,” Kozachenko lamented, as his unit struggles to fend off the persistent Russian offensive.
The United States, aware of the pressing need, has pledged to hasten the delivery of ammunition and weapons following Congress’s approval of a substantial $61 billion aid package. However, despite these commitments, frontline artillery units report a stark reality as of early May: the anticipated surge in supplies has yet to arrive, leaving them to operate under severely constrained conditions.
This shortage coincides with a significant escalation in Russian war efforts. Recent intelligence suggests that President Vladimir Putin is preparing for an extended conflict, with notable changes in the Russian military structure and leadership indicating a troubling intensification of the war.
Additionally, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation has charged top Russian officials with orchestrating violence during the EuroMaidan Revolution, further complicating the ongoing conflict.
As the war grinds into its third year, Ukrainian defence lines are increasingly strained. Reports from the BBC highlight that Ukrainian forces are working tirelessly to shore up a weakened frontline in Kharkiv, even as Russian forces make strategically important advances.
CNN’s latest updates paint a grim picture: Ukraine is under a ‘massive’ assault on its energy grid, and exhausted troops remain entrenched on the front line while the country struggles to mobilise sufficient manpower to counter the Russian invasion.