Ukraine’s ammunition becomes defining issue in battle for Donbas

Ukrainian servicemen run for cover during an artillery duel between Ukrainian and Russian troops in Lysychansk, Donbas. Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

For Ukraine’s military the question of ammunition for its artillery has been something of a catch-22.

In the battle for Donbas in the east – which has become largely an artillery duel between Russian and Ukrainian forces – Kyiv has been heavily reliant until recently on Soviet-era ammunition for the artillery that makes up a large part of its arsenal.