With all weapons depleted, Ukraine is completely dependent on allies – 06/09/2022 21:53 pm

Himmers precision rocket launcher delivered to Ukraine on March 6, 2022 in Saudi Arabia (AFP / Fayez Nureldine)

According to several US military sources, Ukraine has exhausted all its Russian and Soviet-made weapons, and now relies solely on weapons supplied by foreign allies, including Western artillery.

Following the Russian occupation of Ukraine on February 24, Westerners rallied in support of Kiev demanding weapons and ammunition, while refraining from taking any action that could be seen as provocative by Russia. Borders of Ukraine.

Not to mention, they also feared that their advanced weapons would fall into the hands of Russian forces.

So instead of Ukrainian forces firing on the Russian army, they turned to the former Soviet Union, which had Soviet-grade ammunition.

But even these stocks have run out, and a Russian-made arsenal in Europe has “disappeared from the face of the planet,” a military official told AFP.

This is why the United States and other NATO allies have decided to ignore the risks of conflict escalation or technical leaks. Washington first began to hand over to Ukraine heavy equipment such as howitzers and howitzers, and later advanced equipment, such as the Himmers rocket launchers, and high-precision artillery pieces beyond the range of the Russian military.

– “Continuous flow” –

A Ukrainian soldier tests his new-generation anti-tank missile in the Kharkiv region (east) on June 09, 2022 (AFP / SERGEY BOBOK).

Another official U.S. military says the Allies are coordinating their military assistance to kyiv and trying to synchronize Ukrainian forces with “continuous ammunition,” but also spare parts and light weapons.

This is the goal of the Liaison Committee for Ukraine, set up by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, whose first meeting was held in April in Rammstein, Germany, in the presence of about forty nations.

Following a second virtual meeting in May, Ukraine’s allies are due to meet in Brussels on June 15.

If Western weapons appear tricky inside Ukraine, it is because the Allies want to ensure that kyiv can safely absorb it and reduce the risk of bombing its ammunition stockpiles.

So the United States sends its military aid in installments, the latest of which, as announced on June 1, 700 million, includes four Himars artillery systems, but 1,000 additional Javelin anti-tank missiles and four Mi-17 helicopters. , 15,000. Bombs for howitzers, 15 light armored vehicles and ammunition of various calipers.

“We are trying to maintain a steady flow,” a second military official said.

– Test balloon –

When asked about the low number of Himalayas fighting Ukrainians in the Donbass, US Chief of Staff General Mark Millie said on Wednesday that Washington wanted to ensure that Ukrainian troops were brought under control before they could move.

Himmers is a “sophisticated” organization, and “you have to certify these boys and make sure they know how to use these systems properly,” said the top-ranked American.

It is necessary to train operators, but also to train soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers in charge of maintenance.

According to Washington, the first shipment was a test balloon to ensure that Himar technology does not fall into the hands of the enemy and that the Ukrainians use this expensive and sensitive equipment wisely. But that did not stop the Pentagon from preparing the next installment of military aid.

Additional Himmers and their ammunition have already been proposed in Germany, and according to another US military source, they will be sent to Ukraine if the experience of the first four copies proves to be positive.

Washington, on the other hand, has refused to provide long-range fighter drones such as the “Gray Eagle”, whose range reaches 300 km, which is large enough to strike a large Russian city.