Reuters: Ukraine's Ability to Push Back Russian Forces Has Diminished

On Saturday, May 29, Reuters reported on the approval of a $61 billion aid package by the U.S. Congress for sending ammunition and weapons to Ukraine, stating that analysts say even if Ukrainian forces can hold out until the aid arrives, they will face a daunting and significant challenge ahead. According to the report, since early May, personnel from two artillery units on the eastern front visited by Reuters have stated they are still waiting for ammunition deliveries, and their speed in pushing back the Russians is significantly slower than it should be. The unit commanded by Alexander Kuzachenko, one of the Ukrainian commanders equipped with U.S.-made M777 howitzers, was once able to fire 100 shells at the enemy per day, but now its capacity has decreased to less than 10 shells per day. He told Reuters that firing 30 shells a day seems like a luxury. The two units visited by Reuters are located in the Donetsk region and are requesting more 155mm shells for Western-made artillery that had strengthened their position against Russia early in the war. According to the report, Russian forces, which are significantly outnumbering Ukrainian defenders, have launched numerous attacks across the eastern Donbas region and along the northeastern border of the country in recent months. Pasi Parvinen, an analyst from Black Bird, a volunteer group based in Finland that analyzes satellite imagery and social media content, told Reuters that Russia has gained more territory this year than it lost during Ukraine's counteroffensive last summer. He added that Russian forces have captured 222 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since May 2. Paolo Palisa, whose forces are fighting near the strategic city of Chasiv Yar, believes that Russia is preparing to break through Ukrainian lines in the east. Ukraine has nearly a thousand kilometers of front line to defend in the east, north, and south. Chasiv Yar, which has recently witnessed the most intense fighting, is located west of the devastated city of Bakhmut, which Moscow captured last year after months of costly battles. Emil Kastehelmi, another analyst from the Black Bird group, told Reuters that the escalation of Russian attacks in the northeastern Kharkiv region, which began last Friday, poses a risk of diverting Ukrainian forces from the eastern front and weakens their ability to maintain the front line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also told AFP that his country's air force is facing shortages and again urged allies to send more air defense systems and fighter jets to Ukraine. The White House stated that China's assistance to Russia in the war against Ukraine is unacceptable. Blinken reiterated the Islamic Republic's military assistance to Russia and announced an additional $2 billion military aid to Ukraine. Russia targeted Kharkiv with guided bombs, resulting in three deaths and 28 injuries. Putin claimed that there is no plan to 'capture' the city of Kharkiv. New U.S. sanctions were imposed against two citizens and three Russian companies due to the transfer of military weapons between Russia and North Korea. Zelensky stated that the situation in Kharkiv is difficult but under control. New Zealand has sanctioned several individuals and entities linked to the Iranian government for supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine. Switzerland stated that dozens of countries have registered for the peace summit on Ukraine.