The US military is rushing to get equipment onto the battlefield and is rapidly training Ukrainian soldiers to prepare for a counteroffensive planned for late spring, writes Politico.
US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday, the 15th of March, after a virtual meeting with the multinational Ukraine Defense Contact Group, that Ukraine does not have much time. Austin stated: «We have to deliver swiftly and fully on our promised commitments. That includes delivering our armored capabilities to the battlefield and ensuring that Ukrainian soldiers get the training, spare parts, and maintenance support that they need to use these new systems, as soon as possible.»
As spring approaches, US officials are increasingly concerned about Ukraine’s dwindling ammunition stockpiles, air defense systems, and experienced troop numbers.
Kyiv continues to suffer manpower losses in the battle for Bakhmut, which the US does not consider strategically important.
Russia has been shelling the country with missiles for months, and the aim of the strikes is not only to sow destruction but also to wear down Ukraine’s air defense systems.
A large part of the losses occurs in the vicinity of Bahmut. Ukrainian forces have decided to fight for the city, and the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, insists that Bakhmut is important for holding other cities in eastern Ukraine. Austin, on the other hand, has indicated to the media that the importance of the city is much more symbolic than strategic.
In February, more than 600 Ukrainians completed training in Germany, and they learned both basic skills and how to handle Western military equipment.
These forces have returned to Ukraine and are participating in hostilities, and other soldiers are currently participating in training.
Meanwhile, out of the public, US officials are calling on Kyiv to use ammunition more judiciously, and this is especially being applied to what is happening in Bakhmut. This is not a position that’s shared by all.
Although Ukraine is rapidly using up ammunition, Russia’s losses are even greater, prompting Moscow to seek help from countries such as Iran. General Mark Milley stated: «Russia remains isolated, their military stocks are rapidly depleting, the soldiers are demoralized, untrained and unmotivated conscripts in convicts and their leadership is failing them.»
Officials have publicly stated that the decision on the counterattack is up to Zelensky. Austin said: «President Zelensky is fighting this fight, and he will make the calls on what’s important and what’s not. We’re generating combat power, to a degree that we believe that it will provide them opportunities to change the dynamics on the battlefield, at some point going forward, whatever point that is.»
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