Ukrainian troops fire with surface-to-surface rockets MLRS towards Russian positions at a front line in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on June 7, 2022.
Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images
- A top Ukrainian official said Russia has significantly more artillery than its military does.
- The official warned Western countries that Ukraine’s survival depends on more weapons deliveries.
- President Zelenskyy on Friday said a “key priority” of his is to “quickly obtain heavy weapons.”
Ukraine is warning Western countries that its survival depends on more weapons deliveries, saying it is currently outmatched by Russia in an artillery game.
Vadym Skibitsky, the deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, told The Guardian in a recent interview that fighting Russia is “an artillery war now,” but cautioned that his side is losing “in terms of artillery.”
“Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces. Our western partners have given us about 10% of what they have,” Skibitsky said, adding that Ukraine is using thousands of rounds each day and its success hinges on more weapons deliveries from the West.
During a meeting with UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a “key priority” is to “quickly obtain heavy weapons.”
He added: “This is important in order to defeat the Russian aggressor, to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Ukraine has previously and routinely urged Western countries to provide it with longer-range weapons to protect against Russian heavy artillery in the eastern Donbas region — the main theater of the 15-week-long conflict that has left thousands dead and millions displaced.
Earlier this week, the UK said it would send “cutting edge” guided rocket systems and munitions to Ukraine to bring the country’s forces a “significant boost in capability” — a move that came after US President Joe Biden announced that he would send advanced rocket systems.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has warned Kyiv against receiving Western military support, claiming it would only prolong the war.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
