Ukraine is digging in to prevent a wartime collapse as Russian attacks and American delays leave Kyiv and its allies facing bitter loss.
Ukrainian troops are running out of ammunition and manpower as a $61 billion aid plan sits in Congress for months. Meanwhile, its electricity system is under attack, exposing its depleted air defenses.
In February, shortages caused Kyiv's troops to withdraw from a major eastern city. With no movement in Washington, Ukrainian forces are urgently struggling to retain their positions along 600 miles of the front line.
“Nothing has changed: We didn't have any shells then, we don't have any shells now,” said artillery sergeant Andriy, who helped Kyiv evacuate from Avdiivka in February after months of battle. “The Russians continue to push in packs, without stopping,” Andriy told last week, requesting anonymity.
Ukrainian authorities, supported by Western officials, want Republicans to break the logjam before the Kremlin launches a new onslaught this summer or sooner.
Oleksandra Ustinova, chair of Ukraine's wartime aid supervision commission. “Americans understand too. They know we have nothing to shoot with, she added in a phone interview this week.On Wednesday, the senior U.S. general in Europe repeated that message.
Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of the European Command, said Russia fires five artillery projectiles for every one Ukrainian forces fire, and the gap could grow to 10 to 1 in coming weeks.
Without further U.S. support, Ukraine will run out of artillery ammunition and air defense interceptors “in fairly short order” and face defeat, he warned Congress.
Follow for more updates