Russia is firing five artillery shells for every one from Ukraine, top US general says
A US Army general has warned that Russia is firing artillery shells at an alarmingly high rate compared to Ukraine, leaving the defenders at the risk of defeat.
General Christopher Cavoli, commander of European Command, told the House Armed Services Committee that Russia was currently firing five artillery shells for every one fired by Ukrainian forces and that disparity could increase in coming weeks to 10 to one.
He added that without support Ukraine would run out of artillery ammunition.
"If one side can shoot and the other side can't shoot back, the side that can't shoot back loses," Gen Cavoli said.
"So, the stakes are very high. They're really dependent this year on us. And without our support, they will not be able to prevail."
He went on: "Russia's brutal, unprovoked war has ravaged Ukraine for over two years.
"[Russian] forces are demolishing cities and are destroying innocent lives on a scale we have not seen since the Second World War.
"In the past 26 months of this war, the US and our partners have delivered vast amounts of critical munitions and equipment to our Ukrainian colleagues."
Gen Cavoli's warning echoes that of Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky who said Ukraine will lose the war against Russia if its armed forces are not supported by the United States, in a damning speech about the current state of the conflict.
Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has so far refused to call a vote on a bill that would provide $60bn (£47.9bn) in military aid to Ukraine.
Russia's latest attacks have been targeting Kharkiv and the surrounding region and, in recent weeks, the intensity of attacks has increased resulting in civilian casualties and damage to the country’s energy infrastructure.
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