delivery time2023-03-17 11:16
NYT “Thousands of rounds of bombing a day… Concern regarding hindering the spring counterattack due to waste of shells”
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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Correspondent Choi In-young = Ukrainian forces are pouring thousands of shells a day to defend the eastern battleground Bahmut.
Although it is an inevitable card for desperate resistance, the US and Europe supporting Ukraine are concerned that a lack of ammunition might hinder the spring counterattack.
The New York Times reported on the 16th (local time) that the US Department of Defense had conveyed its concerns regarding the recent relentless bombing of Ukraine.
A U.S. government official said the U.S. had warned Ukraine to “beware of wasting ammunition at a critical time.”
“We need mortar shells,” said a Ukrainian soldier fighting in Bakhmut, saying his unit was not being resupplied.
A brigade commander taking part in the Battle of Bahmut said on Facebook that there was a critical shortage of shells and that even following his unit had disabled Russian T-90 tanks, he was banned from shelling to finish off the attack because it was “too expensive.”
The United States and Europe believe that Ukraine’s shelling of Bahmut is unsustainable and might jeopardize an offensive in preparation for the coming spring. Ukraine hopes to regain territory lost to Russia in the spring offensive.
The US and UK are preparing to send thousands of shells and rockets to support Ukraine’s counterattack.
A senior Pentagon official called it a “last-ditch effort.” It is because their Ukrainian allies do not have enough ammunition to keep up with the Ukrainian bombardment.
The West is ramping up arms production, but it will take months to meet current Ukrainian demand.
The US hopes to produce regarding 90,000 shells per month, but it is expected to take two years. The European Union (EU) is trying to manufacture and buy regarding 1 million shells, but it is also a problem that takes a lot of time.
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Ukraine might suffer from continuing ammunition shortages even as it has a golden opportunity to reclaim territories occupied by Russian forces this spring.
Although Poland has begun supporting fighters, including four MiG-29s, to Ukraine, the NYT explained that the weapons that play a decisive role in this war are shells such as howitzers and mortars.
This is because both Ukraine and Russia have strong anti-aircraft systems, so much of the fighting is being fought on the ground.
Ukraine is receiving hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles from donors. This is a great help in warfare, but the effect is bound to be limited if there is not enough ammunition supply.
The high number of casualties is also a worrying factor. There is also the prospect that the Ukrainian military command will have to decide whether to send more of his units to the Battle of Bakhmut or to send those units into the spring offensive.
It is not easy for Ukraine to give up Bahmut. Although Bakhmut is a small city, it is of great value to both Ukraine and Russia as it serves as a gateway to major cities in eastern Ukraine.
For now, the US government believes that the Battle of Bahmut will not adversely affect the spring counterattack by weakening Ukraine’s ammunition and military forces.
However, the NYT predicted that the longer the battle, the more likely the situation will change.
abbie@yna.co.kr
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