<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/25/ukraine-defence-minister-rustem-umerov-says-half-of-western-arms-arrive-later-than-promised>
"Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, said his country was “losing
territory” in its grinding war with Russia because “50%” of weapons promised by
western partners failed to reach Kyiv on time.
Speaking a day after the second anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion,
Umerov said his troops had built new fortifications and “thousands of
strongholds”. But he said delays in the supply of western equipment were
leading to setbacks and deaths on the battlefield.
“We have a plan. We are working to the plan. We are doing everything possible
and impossible. But without timely supply [of western arms] it’s hard for us,”
he conceded.
According to Umerov, Russia has spent $150bn (£119bn) in its all-out attack on
Ukraine, amounting to 15% of its entire GDP. With House Republicans in
Washington blocking a US military aid package, Ukraine’s armed forces are
running out of air defence missiles and artillery shells.
F-16 jets promised by an international coalition including the Netherlands,
Norway and Belgium have yet to arrive. They are expected some time this spring.
Umerov said history showed that it was impossible for any country to win a war
without “air superiority”.
Despite these disadvantages, Ukraine had won back the Black Sea, he said, using
drones to sink Russian warships. It had also clawed back territory in the
north-east and south of the country, he said – a reference to the 2022
liberation of Kharkiv oblast and the city of Kherson."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
