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| Photo by Genya SAVILOV / AFP |
Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, who spearheaded Ukraine's counteroffensive, revealed that the military had to reduce operations due to a shortage of artillery shells across the frontline, as reported by Reuters.
Tarnavskyi's remarks coincided with unsuccessful approvals for aid to Ukraine from both the US and EU. He highlighted the shortage as a significant problem, necessitating frequent shell redistribution and a reduction in operations, though specific details were not provided.
"There's an issue with ammunition, particularly post-Soviet shells like the 122 mm and 152 mm. Today, these problems are prevalent across the entire frontline," he stated.
In November, it was reported that the EU fell short of delivering the promised 1 million shells to Ukraine, with only 480,000 munitions of various types obtained for the intended purpose. Some attributed the shortfall to technical and logistical challenges, while others pointed to bureaucratic obstacles in joint munition production.
In November, the owner of Bulgarian arms manufacturer Emco, a key producer of Soviet munitions for Ukraine within NATO and the EU, claimed that Russian intelligence persisted in sabotaging his facilities.
In the meantime, analysts have observed the use of North Korean-made artillery shells by Russia on the front, suggesting a potential shortage of munitions for the Russian forces as well.
In the ongoing conflict, both Ukraine and Russia heavily depend on artillery for fire support. Thousands of shells are being fired daily along a frontline that spans over a thousand kilometers.
According to the Reuters report, Tarnavskyi also noted a shift in tactics by Russian troops near Avdiivka, a Ukrainian stronghold in eastern Ukraine. He acknowledged that Russia had achieved "partial success" in the area, but emphasized that Ukraine managed to hold the line.
"I believe that we are firmly maintaining these lines today," he stated. "Currently, the enemy is exerting pressure with their numbers. They have never cared and will not care for their personnel."
He also mentioned that the brigades are working on strategies to allow the troops to rest.
"Today, we have certain difficulties with the personnel on the frontlines. They are not as fresh and rested as we'd like them to be," he acknowledged. "Every commander should have a reserve."
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