Ukrainian soldiers prepare 155mm artillery shells at a base in Donetsk
Screenshot The Kyiv Independent
ABC News on November 21 quoted a Ukrainian official as saying that the transfer of 155mm ammunition from the US to Ukraine has decreased by more than 30% since the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out on October 7.
“They told us it wouldn’t affect the commitments, but it did,” the official said.
Flashpoints: Russia says US aid to Ukraine is a “sedative”; Hezbollah fires “volcanic” rockets at Israel
Meanwhile, a senior US defense official said that the decrease was not related to the situation in Gaza, because the aid under the authority of US President Joe Biden was withdrawn from the military reserve several weeks ago.
On November 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the distribution of artillery shells from Western countries had "really slowed down" since the conflict in the Middle East. European Union (EU) diplomat Josep Borrell also admitted that the crisis in the Middle East "has had a lasting impact on our policy towards Ukraine".
Russia holds the line?
In a development related to Ukrainian weapons, Sputnik news agency on November 21 quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying that Ukraine had lost about 1,800 weapons and military equipment since the beginning of November.
He said that the Ukrainian side's attempt to advance in the Kherson direction was unsuccessful due to Russian defense. Meanwhile, Russian forces held strongholds along the entire front line and gradually improved their positions.
US announces additional arms aid package for Ukraine, Russia affirms never to fail
According to a statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense on November 21, Russian forces attacked three Ukrainian army brigades in the Zaporizhzhia region within the previous 24 hours.
"In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, Russian units inflicted losses on servicemen of the 33rd, 65th and 117th mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army in the areas near the settlements of Rabotino and Novoprokopovka," the statement said.
In addition, Minister Shoigu said that the delivery of weapons such as basic missiles and artillery to the Russian army has increased almost fivefold this year.
"We will hear a report on the results of the completion of the defense procurement plan for 2023 and proposals for developing a defense procurement plan for 2024 and the planned period of 2025-2026," he said at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry's board.
"The main tasks this year are to provide the groups of forces with weapons, equipment, ammunition and supplies in a timely manner," he said.
Ukraine has not commented on the information.
Ukrainian President Replaces General, Orders Army to Act Quickly
Germany gives Ukraine 1.3 billion euros in aid
To affirm its long-term commitment to support Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited Kyiv on November 21 and announced an additional 1.3 billion euros (34,298 billion VND) in military aid to the country.
To date, Berlin has pledged to support Kyiv with eight IRIS-T air defense systems, three of which have been delivered. Ukraine mainly uses them to counter Russian missiles.
The new package includes 20,000 155mm artillery shells as well as anti-tank mines. "This underlines that we stand with Ukraine in a sustainable and reliable way," Pistorius said.
He noted that these artillery shells were not part of the 140,000 155 mm shells that Germany had committed to supply next year.
US aid to Ukraine, Russia reacts
The Kyiv Independent on November 21 quoted US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing an additional $100 million in security aid when he visited Ukraine, while also pledging long-term support for Kyiv.
Specifically, the new aid package includes Stinger air defense missiles, high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) with ammunition, 155 mm and 105 mm artillery shells, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank missiles and more than 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
Ukraine concerned about West's push for talks with Russia
In addition, the aid package also includes warm clothing, spare parts and obstacle clearance ammunition.
Responding to the new US aid package, TASS news agency on November 21 quoted Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov as saying that this is a "sedative" for Kyiv "on the brink of complete collapse".
See also: US provides more weapons to Ukraine, Russia says it is 'sedative'
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