As Ukraine braces for a potentially pivotal moment in its ongoing conflict with Russia, the anticipation of substantial US military aid has reached a fever pitch. The prospect of a $60 billion aid package, already passed by the House of Representatives and expected to receive Senate approval imminently, has buoyed the spirits of Ukrainian soldiers who have been enduring a grueling standoff on the front lines.
President Joe Biden has assured that upon the bill’s passage, he will promptly enact it into law, ensuring the swift dispatch of “weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs.” The urgency conveyed by Biden echoes the pressing reality faced by Ukrainian troops, who have reported being vastly outgunned, with President Volodymyr Zelensky citing a disconcerting artillery ratio significantly in Russia’s favor.
The gravity of the situation is evident in the words of an artillery reconnaissance commander, known by the callsign “Teren,” who emphasized the desperate ammunition requirements: “To win, we need ammunition… our artillery is starving.” His stark assessment came amid heightened Russian offensives, particularly around strategic locations like the village of Ocheretyne, which, despite lacking intrinsic strategic value, occupies crucial high ground pertinent to Ukrainian logistics and military operations.
The rapid deployment of aid is critical, as noted by Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder, who stated that the US Department of Defense is “poised to respond quickly,” with the capability to mobilize “within days.” This sentiment was echoed by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, who expressed hope that the materials would be “in transit by the end of the week.”
Indeed, American sources, while remaining discreet, a US source familiar with the provision of military aid to Ukraine have indicated that much of the intended military aid is already pre-positioned in European locations such as Germany and Poland, a tactical move that significantly reduces the time required for the materiel to enter Ukraine. The source also said artillery shells would be among the first materials moved forward.
The forthcoming aid package includes critical air defense systems, artillery shells, and potentially longer-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which Ukraine has not shied away from requesting. Such equipment would enable Kyiv to exert greater pressure on Russian airfields, fuel depots, and weapons storage sites, potentially altering the trajectory of the conflict.
In addition to direct combat necessities, air defense is also a paramount concern for Ukraine, with Zelensky stressing the need for frontline defense systems as well as protection for urban centers. “We need front-line air defense as much as we need protection for our cities and villages,” Zelensky said. The Patriot air defense system and other surface-to-air missile systems are likely to form an essential part of the aid.
However, the guidance from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) serves as a sobering reminder that despite the impending arrival of aid, Ukraine is poised to continue grappling with artillery and air defense ammunition shortages in the weeks to come, which will, in turn, constrain its defensive operations.
As Ukraine and its allies await the US aid, there’s a palpable sense of urgency. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has not minced words, urging EU countries to act decisively and without delay, to furnish Ukraine with additional defense systems, artillery, and ammunition. His call to action encapsulates the broader strategic imperative: “We can prevent the worst-case scenarios if we act together and without fear.”
Relevant articles:
– ‘Our artillery is starving:’ Ukraine holds its breath as US set to approve $60bn of military aid, edition.cnn.com, 04/23/2024
– Aid approval brings Ukraine closer to replenishing troops struggling to hold front lines, The Daily Progress, Mon, 22 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT
– US can send fresh weapons to Ukraine ‘within days’, The Telegraph, Sat, 20 Apr 2024 20:37:00 GMT