The Armed Forces of Ukraine have begun receiving artillery munitions from Western countries, but the current volumes are not yet sufficient for Ukrainian defenders to effectively counter the Russians, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russian forces near Vovchansk still maintain a five-to-one advantage in ammunition supplies.
One of the Ukrainian soldiers mentioned that the munitions provided by the West have started to "trickle" to the front lines, but have not yet reached significant volumes. In contrast, the Russians continue to have a "significant advantage" in ammunition.
"Russian forces are attempting to make tactically and operationally significant gains before US military assistance arrives to Ukrainian forces at the frontline at scale, and that the initial arrival of Western-provided weaponry will take some time to have tactical to operational effect on the frontline," the report says.
Million shells for Ukraine
After the European Union failed to timely fulfill its promise to provide a million shells for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Czechia took the initiative. President Petr Pavel proposed buying munitions from third countries.
As part of this initiative, up to 1.5 million shells are planned to be transferred to Ukraine. Kyiv had expected to receive them as early as April, but the delivery has been delayed for unknown reasons.
Meanwhile, a factory in the United States has begun producing 155-mm shells for Ukraine's needs.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that by the end of the year, Ukraine would receive a million shells as part of the Czech initiative.