The two-year mark comes on the heels of one of the heaviest losses Ukraine has suffered in the conflict. The symbolic fall of the town of Avdiivka came after months of being outnumbered by Russian forces in both manpower and firepower. As one Ukrainian commander put it, it was a 7-to-1 war.
Ukraine is running out of artillery shells. Photo: NYT
Ukraine blamed the defeat on dangerously low ammunition stocks. The shortages come amid concerns in Kiev and other European countries about the future of US support for the war machine in Ukraine.
Some $60 billion in additional funding remains withheld due to political gridlock in the US Congress. Even as European aid continues to flow, US aid is seen as crucial to Ukraine, as it includes ammunition, artillery shells and maintenance for US-made and supplied equipment.
The top spokesman for the US Army's European and African commands warned this week in an interview with CBS News that they expect to "run out of money before the summer" for operations on both continents if the money isn't released.
The situation is even more serious for Ukraine as the United States enters the 2024 presidential election with a likely victory for Donald Trump, who is said to be able to end or drastically reduce aid to Ukraine if elected.
Military comparison between Russia and Ukraine. Graphic image: AJ
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who pleaded for US aid at the Munich Security Conference, had anticipated that dire scenario. “If Trump, Mr. Trump, if he comes, I am even ready to go with him to the front line,” Zelenskyy said. Mr. Trump is seen as much less supportive of Ukraine than incumbent President Joe Biden, who will remain Trump’s main opponent in the US election this November.
Biden has recently renewed his call for US lawmakers to pass the aid package, echoing warnings from America's European NATO allies that if Ukraine fails, "the cost to the United States - along with our NATO allies and partners in Europe and around the world - will increase."
From the very beginning of the war, the world witnessed Russia’s overwhelming firepower over Ukraine. Last year, with massive support from the United States and other allies, Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive, recapturing some territory, but was powerless against Russia’s dense defenses along its eastern front lines.
Although the United States alone has contributed more than $75 billion to Ukraine’s defense efforts, Ukraine’s military strength is still far inferior to Russia’s after two years of war. Therefore, it can be said that Kiev is facing a difficult prospect in an unequal war with Russia.
Hoang Hai (according to CBS, NYT, AJ)
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