The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimates that Russian troops have seized 505 square kilometres of territory since the start of offensive operations in October 2023. This is stated in the Institute’s report submitted the day before, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
At the same time, the pace of the Russian offensive is increasing – from 1 January to 28 March 2024, Russian troops captured almost 100 square kilometres more territory than in the last three months of 2023. This speed of advance may be due to a combination of a lack of equipment and ammunition in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and more favourable weather conditions in winter than in autumn, analysts say.
“Material constraints limit the ability of Ukrainian forces to conduct effective defensive operations, while giving Russian forces flexibility in how they conduct offensive operations, which could lead to opportunities for Russian forces to achieve significant operational success in the future. Opportunities to exploit Ukraine’s vulnerabilities will increase as materiel shortages persist and Ukraine continues to struggle with manpower issues,” the report says,
– the report says.
At the same time, the receipt of sufficient and regular Western assistance and the resolution of manpower problems would narrow these opportunities for the Russian armed forces. In this case, analysts believe, the Ukrainian armed forces are able to stop the Russians, reduce Russian offensive capabilities and prepare for future counter-offensive operations to liberate more of Ukraine’s territory.
Delay in funding assistance to Ukraine
Since autumn 2023, the US Congress has been unable to agree on a bill on military assistance to Ukraine. President Joe Biden has proposed a national security bill worth more than $100 billion, including $61 billion to help Kyiv.
The document was not approved by Republicans, who want to include in the bill tighter border and migration measures on the US-Mexico border.
US President Joe Biden said he would not support a bill to help Israel initiated by Republicans in the House of Representatives without taking into account Ukraine’s needs.
on 13 February, the US Senate passed a bill unblocking aid to Ukraine. It provides for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan totalling $95.34 billion, of which $61 billion is earmarked for Ukraine.
The bill must now be supported by the US House of Representatives, where Republicans are also refusing to vote in favour of aid to Ukraine.
See also:
Everything is according to plan: Kuleba tells when F-16s will appear in the Ukrainian sky
The US will not send troops to Ukraine
537 children died in Ukraine as a result of Russian aggression