A Ukrainian serviceman digs an anti tank ditch with a MDK-3 military engineering vehicle, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, near Belarus border in Chornobyl exclusion zone, Ukraine December 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo
Amidst the unforgiving terrain of the conflict-ridden Ukrainian front, a stark reality unfolds as frontline troops grapple with shortages of artillery shells, forcing them to curtail military operations. Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the seasoned military leader, bares the grim truth following disruptions in foreign assistance, triggered by U.S. Republican lawmakers stalling a $60-billion aid package and Hungary obstructing €50 billion ($54.5 billion) in European Union funding to Kyiv in the face of Russia’s relentless invasion.
In an interview, Tarnavskyi reveals the acute scarcity of post-Soviet artillery shells, notably the 122 mm and 152 mm variants, echoing a dire refrain resonating across the entire frontline. The repercussions of dwindling foreign military aid reverberate on the battlefield, compelling a recalibration of tasks and a meticulous redistribution of available resources to meet pressing needs.
Kyiv’s dependence on Western military support to confront Russian forces along a formidable 1,000-km front comes sharply into focus nearly 22 months into Europe’s largest conflict since World War Two. The wearied Ukrainian troops, facing defensive stances in some sectors while mounting offensives in others, underscore the critical need for reserves to rotate and provide much-needed respite.
The Russian forces, too, grapple with ammunition challenges, Tarnavskyi reveals, although the specifics remain veiled. As the battle dynamics evolve, he points out the changing tactics of both Ukrainian and Russian forces, highlighting the incessant attacks and the ongoing Russian attempt to encircle the strategic town of Avdiivka.
Avdiivka, a linchpin in Russia’s quest for control over Donetsk and Luhansk, witnesses a fluid and dynamic situation with constant shifts in tactics. Tarnavskyi’s vigilant command oversees the defense of this crucial town, navigating through the intricacies of a conflict marked by fluctuating fortunes.
The struggle for territorial gains persists, with neither side making significant strides in a largely attritional conflict. Tarnavskyi acknowledges the challenges posed by winter conditions, where the biting cold, reduced visibility, and barren landscapes intensify the complexity of military operations.
As discussions in Kyiv center on refining the conscription process, Tarnavskyi emphasizes the pressing need for Western F-16 fighter jets to counter the escalating threat from Russian attack drones. In his candid assessment, the presence of F-16s would be a game-changer, akin to a “Mercedes compared with a Zaporozhets” – a nod to the gravity of the situation and the collective hope vested in these advanced aircraft.
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