Media: Ukraine braces for tough winter as Western arms supplies dwindle

With Western arms supplies slow and limited in the third year of the war, Ukraine faces the prospect of a grim winter. 

Its military, though heavily outnumbered and outgunned, is slowly losing ground on the primary eastern front, Caliber.Az reports via The Wall Street Journal.

Ukrainian forces are striving to inflict heavy losses on Russian troops while trying to minimise their own. However, Western leaders remain uncertain about how to bring the conflict to an end.

Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have strained the nation’s air defence systems, leading to rolling blackouts. These power shortages could intensify as the winter months approach.

In the east, Ukrainian soldiers are holding on to key strategic locations such as the elevated city of Chasiv Yar. Here, they are facing relentless Russian infantry assaults and large-scale glide bomb attacks that are devastating buildings. In recent weeks, Russia has captured the city of Vuhledar, advanced towards the crucial logistics hub of Pokrovsk, and made gains in several other towns.

While President Joe Biden and other Western leaders have consistently expressed their desire for a Ukrainian victory, Kyiv officials and military personnel argue that the support being provided is insufficient to halt Russian advances and turn the tide of the war.

A growing concern for Ukraine is the potential re-election of former US President Donald Trump, who has indicated that he would pursue a swift peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The latter has made it clear that he seeks Ukraine's capitulation.

At the same time, Russia is preparing to boost its military expenditure by 25% next year, signalling a long-term strategy to overpower its smaller neighbour.

During recent visits to European capitals and the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for increased weapons supplies and security guarantees as part of what he has termed a "victory plan" to end the conflict on terms favourable to Ukraine.

However, the Biden administration’s response has been tepid, as it continues to provide arms in a measured manner to avoid further provoking Russia.

American officials have indicated that Zelenskyy’s plan reiterates several prior requests, while pointing out that NATO members remain divided over whether to offer Ukraine a formal invitation to join the alliance.

Zelenskyy had intended to discuss his proposal with Biden and other Western leaders during a planned meeting in Germany last week, but the US president cancelled his trip due to Hurricane Milton in Florida.

“We’ll need to sit down with the Ukrainians and work through what’s actually feasible, compared to what they’ve asked for,” said General CQ Brown Jr., chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a briefing.

By Aghakazim Guliyev