There is a serious shortage of weapons within Ukrainian forces: for every bullet fired by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, ten Russian bullets are reported to be in circulation. The Wall Street Journal notes this claim, citing a representative of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as a source.
According to the newspaper, Kyiv is compelled to conserve ammunition amid fears that U.S. military aid could be reduced. This situation has steered Ukraine toward a greater reliance on drone strikes as a practical alternative to conventional artillery operations.
Meanwhile, American officials told reporters that Congress is currently blocking the more robust rounds of additional aid to Kyiv. That restraint would influence Kyiv’s ability to purchase artillery shells and bolster its air defense capabilities, a point underscored by officials close to the administration.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba indicated that Europe’s defense industry is not yet ready to compete with Russia, a gap that contributes to a persistent shortage of shells for Ukrainian forces.
Earlier still, Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, stated that the European Union had already exhausted its ammunition stocks and does not possess a magical solution to supply more. Kyiv has pressed the EU for further shipments of ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles, and air-defense systems to reinforce its defenses.
Previously, Germany’s stance on the Ukraine aid fund drew attention as a potential reason for delays in arms deliveries, a matter that has been debated among European partners and Kyiv alike.