Russia Struggles with Weapons Supply for Ukraine
Russia is struggling to provide ammunition and weapons for its war in Ukraine, according to western officials.
It is facing “extreme challenges” in obtaining sufficient equipment and materiel, an official said.
As the war enters its third year, the supply of ammunition, arms and manpower looks set to be a critical factor.
Russia is firing artillery shells at a far higher rate than Ukraine, five times more by some estimates but fewer than it was in 2022 and is believed to still not be producing enough to replenish what it is using.
The official said Russia has been having to turn to foreign sources for arms.
These include drones and missiles from Iran and ammunition stocks from North Korea.
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Some of this is also believed to be poor quality as well as having taken extensive negotiations, including a Visit From Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to North Korea, to secure.
The official also said Russia is requisitioning equipment due to be delivered by its defence industry to other countries.
This includes India, which has long been reliant on Russian weaponry for its armed forces, and whose air force a year ago said it was not receiving what it expected.
The claims about Russian weapons supply come ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.
The assessment from Western officials is that Russia has not given up on its original goals of “subjugating” Ukraine.
But they said Russia does not have a clear plan to bring that about other than hoping that in the long term its superior manpower and resources will make the difference by grinding its neighbour down.
Russia is currently producing more ammunition than Ukraine is receiving.
However, Russia may be close to its limits of supply while there remains the possibility that Ukraine could still get more from its allies.
