Ukraine’s troops remain frustrated at delays in getting fresh supplies of arms and ammunition, according to reports from the frontline. It’s been several months since the US and the EU signed off on their massive aid packages to Kyiv, yet the bulk of the weapons have yet to find their way to the Ukrainian fighting units.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, these delays are hampering Ukraine’s ability to counter what it calls Russia’s “creeping advances”. Russia’s ability to apply pressure at numerous points along the frontlines effectively means that it is hard for Ukraine to build up the strength to launch its own offensive operations. This is where the lack of fresh supplies of western weapons systems is being felt most.
Meanwhile, shortages of trained and motivated personnel also remains a problem for Kyiv. Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, told the country’s Interfax news agency on July 2 that the ability to recruit and train sufficient personnel to form well-staffed and equipped new brigades remains a problem.
