Russian forces are gaining ground in their yearslong war against Ukraine as Kyiv’s troops endure dwindling ammunition supplies.
Moscow’s forces have continued their advance across front lines in eastern Ukraine following capture of Avdiivka and Bakhmut, both of which were seized after extensive, bloody battles over the past year, CNN reported.
Ukraine’s new defensive line behind Avdiivka, which runs through the villages of Berdychi, Orlivka, and Tonenke, is getting bombarded amid Moscow troops’ westward drive, with pro-Russian sources claiming the soldiers have gained new footholds.
The territorial advancements echo Ukrainian troops’ concerns about how prepared Kyiv was for defending the region following its withdrawal from Avdiivka last month.
“If we had prepared positions behind Avdiivka where our infantry could fall back to, we would have held them there for a very long time,” one special forces soldier told CNN.
Russia’s advances come amid dwindling equipment and ammo supplies among Ukraine’s ranks as a $60 billion aid package remains held up by the US Congress, crushing fighters’ outlook on the war now in its third year.
“I think we [are] all going to die,” Yaroslav, the commander of a Ukrainian unit outside of the town of Chasiv Yar, about 30 miles west of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk province, much of which is under Russian controltold CNN.
“Everybody who is here. We will be no more,” he said. “This will not be just a European problem. The Russians will advance on Europe.”
On the ground, Ukrainian forces say they are rationing ammunition such as tank shells; others worry some units are running out of tanks altogether.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pleaded for Western allies to quickly supply the embattled nation with all kinds of arms without any restrictions in a meeting with foreign ministers of France and the Baltic republics.
“What is required is an unrestricted and timely supply of all types of weapons and ammunition to ensure that Ukraine beats Russia and the war in Europe does not spill over,” he said after the face-to-face in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Several of Ukraine’s allies also broached the possibility of sending in troops to assist the worn-down fighters.
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron said Western nations should not rule out the idea of sending in additional forces to Ukraine. On Friday, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski echoed his sentiment and said it was “not unthinkable” for NATO forces to be dispatched to the war-torn nation.
In other developments: