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A self-propelled howitzer 2000 near the front: Ukrainian soldiers think highly of the German-made artillery piece.

But: Even the best weapon is useless if there is no ammunition left.

Reporters from the Reuters news agency found out how dramatic the situation is when they visited a unit near Bakhmut.

Roman, battle name “Luchs”, commander of the artillery unit


“The numbers looked completely different.

To make a long story short: my warehouse was once full of ammunition.

Now there are about 20 percent left.

And the deliveries come much less often now.«

The lack of ammunition is one of the most pressing problems for the men of the 43rd Artillery Brigade.

The view in Kyiv was that the Western allies delivered too slowly and too late.

Rustem Umyerov, Defense Minister Ukraine


»The situation is dynamic.

Right now, a promise doesn't necessarily mean a delivery.

Half of the promised deliveries are late.«

Ukrainian troops withdrew from Avdiivka last week.

Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers are said to have been captured by Russia.

Roman, battle name “Luchs”, commander of artillery unit


“We could help a lot more, for example with artillery support for the infantry.

We could have helped for longer and perhaps changed the course of the front in some places.

I cannot say with certainty to what extent the frequency of deliveries played a role in the loss of Avdiivka.

But unfortunately the enemy has five times more troops and that's how they put pressure on them, with the mass, with the sheer number of people."

While a delivery of Taurus cruise missiles is being discussed in Germany, the troops on site are apparently running out of ammunition for the weapons they already have.

In the United States, one of Ukraine's main supporters, Republicans have been blocking a $60 billion aid package for months.

Roman, nom de guerre “Luchs”, commander of the artillery unit


“I don’t know what will happen if the ammunition deliveries stop.

I really do not know it.

I don’t know because I can’t even imagine that happening.”