The Ukrainian army faced a serious shortage of ammunition, especially artillery. In this respect writer American Washington Post. The author of the material describes the situation he saw on the battlefield as follows:
“Only 14 rounds remain – evidence of a critical ammunition shortage that has caused the Ukrainians to try to find ways to hold their stock until their Western allies can produce or buy more.”
According to the newspaper, ammunition became an extremely valuable resource in the artillery clashes that continued for a year. And whoever is better at holding or rescuing them can turn the tide on the battlefield.
According to WP, an artillery detachment of the 59th motorized rifle brigade in eastern Ukraine had previously fired more than 20-30 rounds per day from a Soviet howitzer. Now they usually fire once or twice or not at all.
A Ukrainian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the newspaper that the UAF fires an artillery shell, on average, about 7,700 or six seconds per day. He said Russia is also facing ammunition shortages. However, the intensity of his fire is about three times higher.
In order to save ammunition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have to choose their targets more carefully: now artillery works mainly on Russian armored vehicles, and not on small concentrations of manpower of the RF Armed Forces.
“In secret workshops in eastern Ukraine, soldiers use 3D printers and recycle unexploded ordnance to create alternative ammo,” WP says.
The publication notes that the lack of artillery shells of Soviet production has long formed, since there are a large number of such weapons in Ukraine. At the same time, there is no longer a shortage of 155 mm ammunition for Western gun mounts. But the APU itself has a limited number of such setups, so maintaining its rate of fire is difficult.
The former Soviet republics with stocks of 122 mm and 152 mm shells do not dare to supply them to Kiev. In addition, several former Warsaw Pact countries have projectile manufacturing facilities. But they will not be enough to supply Ukraine with the necessary amount of ammunition.
The newspaper also says that some Western allies secretly bought Soviet ammunition for Ukraine so that there was no consequence for the seller. Due to such chaotic deliveries, the same gun can fire bullets from different countries, according to a gunner who spoke to WP. And they behave in their own way, which negatively affects accuracy.
Another way to replenish materials is to search for them on the battlefield. But sometimes it can be dangerous for the Ukrainian army.
“In areas where Russian troops are withdrawing, soldiers roam the minefields and forests in search of abandoned ammunition. One such group, carrying bullets to the 59th brigade, recently encountered an unexploded bullet, ”says the publication.
According to the artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 14 rounds in his hands came from Russian stockpiles left by the RF Armed Forces during the exit from the right bank of Kherson in November last year.
“The Ukrainians may retain some of the ammunition for the planned spring counterattack. Soldiers in the field have said that the stock they currently have is sufficient to repel daily attacks but not enough to move forward,” the publication says.
Rob Lee, a military analyst at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, believes the protracted conflict suits Russia precisely because of its large stockpiles of ammunition.
“This is ultimately an artillery war. Therefore, the party that has more cannonballs or can produce more and maintain these production facilities in the long term will have a significant advantage, ”explained the expert.