The supply of heavy weapons needs to be accelerated – losses among the Ukrainian military are growing.
Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandra Ustinova called on the United States to provide Ukraine's modern air defense systems and fighters. She said the situation on the battlefield was “much worse” than it was at the beginning of the war, CNN reported. “It's hell on the front line now,” Ustinova told reporters in Washington on Friday. “We are losing a lot more people now than we did at the beginning of the war.”
In turn, the executive director of the Center for Combating Corruption Daria Kalenyuk explained: “We can not win this war with the help of Soviet technology, because Russia has much more Soviet equipment, in addition, we do not have ammunition. Finally. Russia simply has more people and more troops. “Ustinova said Ukraine is no longer looking for Soviet-era fighters because” the war has changed. ” According to her, in order to effectively resist Russia, Ukraine needs MLRS missile systems, self-propelled howitzers and fighters such as the F-16. She called on the United States to start training Ukrainian pilots to use such aircraft.
Kalenyuk, who said she had recently met with Ukrainian defense officials in Kyiv, said Ukraine had “combat pilots ready for training.”/p>
Ustinova and Kalenyuk also said during the meeting that they believe the administration lacks the “political will” to quickly provide Ukraine with modern weapons. In addition, it seems that there is still a fear of provoking Moscow.
They condemned the fact that the United States has been deciding for so long on sending heavy weapons to Ukraine. “If we had howitzers two months ago, Mariupol would not have happened.”
“Unfortunately, we continue to ask for a decision here as soon as possible,” she said.
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Recall, the United States has already delivered more than 85 of the 90 howitzers , long-range weapons promised to Ukraine, as well as more than 110 thousand 184 thousand ammunition for them. More than 310 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in howitzer handling, and more than 50 continue to be trained. Also, at least 20 Ukrainians have already been trained to operate the Phoenix Ghost drone. Another 60 have learned to drive an M113 armored personnel carrier, another 45+ have completed training in this armored personnel carrier today. 15 Ukrainian servicemen have completed training to work with Q64 – mobile radar.
