Ukrainian troops on the front line are facing a shortage of artillery shells as foreign aid dries up, forcing them to suspend some military operations, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavsky told Reuters at a time when Republican lawmakers shelved a 60 billion US dollar aid package and Hungary blocked 50 billion euros in funding from the European Union (EU), on Monday, the 18th of December, reports Reuters.
Ukrainian Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi stated that in particular there is a shortage of post-Soviet ammunition (122 mm, 152 mm), which affects the entire front line. He stressed that the reduction of foreign military aid, in particular artillery shells, is a problem that is forcing troops to redeploy and limit operations.
The Brigadier’s comments underline Ukraine’s reliance on Western military assistance in the ongoing conflict with Russian troops on the 1000 km front. Tarnavskyi mentioned that both Ukraine and Russia are facing problems with ammunition.
Tarnavskyi said that Ukrainian troops, weary on the south-eastern front,
had moved to a defensive position in some areas while continuing their offensive in other areas.
He stressed the need for ammunition reserves to rotate and rest Ukrainian forces, expressing confidence in future large-scale operations.
Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavsky, Commander of Task Force Tavria, led the counter-offensive that drove Russian troops from Kherson and the western bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022. He is currently overseeing the defence of Avdiivka, a strategically important eastern city facing a Russian offensive.
Tarnavsky noted the evolution of the tactics of the Russian forces, pointing to constant attacks and changes of strategy, with partial successes in some areas. He expressed confidence that it would be possible to hold the defensive lines against the numerical pressure of the enemy. “They have never cared and will never care for their own personnel,” Tarnavskyi said.
He said that both Ukrainian and Russian forces face winter challenges.
Tarnavskyi particularly looks forward to the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to improve defence capabilities against Russian drone strikes, underlining optimism about its potential impact.
Read also: EU gives Ukraine access to membership talks; fails to agree on financial aid
Follow us on Facebook and X!