Ammunition is desperately needed, according to Ukrainian forces near beleaguered Chasiv Yar

In the midst of growing Russian troop and drone attacks, Ukrainian forces guarding the vital eastern stronghold of Chasiv Yar claim they are still waiting on new ammo despite the US approving a significant military aid package.

Moscow’s army has advanced to the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, another significant goal that would enable them to gain control of higher territory and target towns and cities even farther to the west. The army is moving west of Avdiivka, a city that it took in February.

More artillery shells, according to Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of Ukraine’s 225th Separate Assault Battalion, would aid his unit in maintaining its positions in the conflict near Chasiv Yar.

Speaking from a nearby command post, he stated, “I hope we receive artillery shells soon.” He continued by saying that in the past, ammunition provided by allies had had a big impact on the battlefield.

“I saw things when Wagner was coming,” he remarked, alluding to a formidable Russian mercenary group that has since been dissolved. “We received cluster munitions which changed the situation significantly and we managed too successfully counterattack.”

Although they are prohibited in many nations, both parties in the conflict in Ukraine have utilized cluster munitions. Only enemy soldier concentrations will be targeted for displacement, according to Kyiv’s pledge.

According to Shyriaiev, Ukraine would be able to defend its territory more successfully with more highly trained soldiers and long-range weaponry.

“If we get long-range weapons, our leaders will cut (Russian forces) off from logistics and supplies.”

Some long-range missiles that Ukraine obtained from its partners have already been used against Russian airfields, ammo dumps, command centers, and troop concentrations.

Russia reported on Tuesday that six of Ukraine’s Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which are made in the United States, were shot down during their attempt to breach Russian air defenses on the seized peninsula.

Shyriaiev said that Russian drones were attacking his squad almost nonstop. Because they had thermal imaging cameras installed, which let remote pilots see targets, they could fly both during the day and at night.

Even though they were suffering terrible casualties, Russian forces were employing vehicles, such as quad bikes, to get to the area of contact and were applying intense pressure to Ukrainian troops.

“Our troops kill a lot of them, they suffer big losses,” he stated in reference to the Russians. “But I have to emphasize that the enemy has a lot of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) that significantly impact the situation here.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, both sides have suffered a great deal of casualties. However, Russia now has the upper hand in the east of the country, where the bloodiest fighting is taking place, thanks to a far larger army, more weaponry, more ammunition.

Remaining optimistic, Shyriaiev thought that Russian forces would not reach Chasiv Yar by May 9, the Russian holiday commemorating Victory Day in World War II. According to certain Ukrainian officials, Moscow might try to take the town before the deadline.

The commander reported that his battalion’s capacity to remove injured men had become easier due to the recent arrival of more armored vehicles and drones.