Ukraine is coming under increasing pressure in Russia’s war of aggression. The problem: there is a lack of ammunition. This is already having a clear impact on the front – the balance of power is shifting.
Director Svetlana Perepadya leads through the treatment rooms. Dentist, ear, nose and throat specialist, gynecology: the polyclinic in the small village of Shevchenkove in eastern Ukraine is surprisingly well equipped. It is not only important for the small town, but for the entire region, explains Perepadya.
“Patients from Dvorichna, which no longer exists, from Kupyansk, from Izyum and neighboring districts come to us to be treated. We care for them as best we can within our means.”
Perepadya and her medical team continued to work during the Russian occupation. Today they treat civilians from the frontline areas and Ukrainian soldiers.
But they are coming under increasing pressure at the front. The problem: There is a lack of artillery ammunition, explains Ukrainian military expert Andriy Kamarov. “We have a pretty difficult situation. If we are economical, the ammunition can last for about another month and a half,” he says. The Russians have already brought significant forces into critical areas of the front and have begun reconnaissance in these areas. “In Avdivka, the Kupyansk region or Lyman. The enemy may soon start pressing very hard and then things will become critical.”
“Never again under Russian occupation”
Perepadya’s clinic is only about 30 kilometers from Kupyansk. Because of the proximity to the front, many people left the region. Many of the medical team also went to Kharkiv or western Ukraine, she says.
Gynecologist Tatjana Holdun only reluctantly remembers the time under Russian occupation. She hopes that the Ukrainian army can stop the Russian troops. “I am very afraid to see them again. I will not survive another occupation. We are all afraid and hope that our army will protect and save us. I never want to be under Russian occupation again.”
The effects are already noticeable on the front
But in the war of attrition, Russian troops have an advantage. Russia has invested heavily in defense and increased its production capacity long ago. And there is apparently a reliable supply of artillery ammunition, including from North Korea, criticizes Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
The effects are now clearly visible on the front, says American military analyst Michael Kofman. “Russia has the initiative along most of the front line and a significant fire advantage. Ukraine, in my view, needs about 3,000 rounds of artillery per day, but probably doesn’t have more than 2,000. I think that’s partly because the U.S. Help is on the back burner at the moment.”
Delayed aid from the US and EU
Further aid to Ukraine has been blocked in the US Congress for weeks. But the EU has not yet been able to keep its promise either. They wanted to produce one million artillery shells for Ukraine. But only a little more than half of them arrive on time.
Russia, on the other hand, is always able to compensate for massive losses and continue the war of attrition.
Rebecca Barth, ARD Kiev, tagesschau, February 2nd, 2024 5:03 p.m