WASHINGTON — The Ukrainian military has all the equipment, weapons and ammunition needed to launch the long-awaited spring offensive, a senior U.S. military commander has said.
Ukrainian officials and their Western allies do not hide the fact that the expected military campaign aimed at regaining Ukrainian territories still under Russian control will begin in the weeks or even days to come.
At the same time, the commander of US military forces in Europe is “very confident” that whenever the offensive begins, the actions of Ukrainian forces will not be hampered by a shortage of weapons systems or supplies.
“We are sending weapons into the country,” Gen. Christopher Cavoli, head of U.S. European Command, told U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday. “More than 98% of combat vehicles are already there.”
The first Western tanks, including British Challengers and German Leopards, began arriving in Ukraine in March.
Last week, the United States announced new military aid to Kiev.
The $325 million package promised additional artillery shells and missiles, as well as TOW anti-tank guided missiles and other anti-tank weapons.
“We sat around a table with the Ukrainians, with our Ukrainian colleagues, and worked out how many logistical resources they would need,” said Cavoli, who is also NATO’s top military commander.
“I am very confident that we have provided the logistics they need and will continue to provide to support their operations,” he added when asked about Ukraine’s preparations.
While some Ukrainian officials have urged patience in the face of a possible offensive, analysis of a recent video posted by pro-Russian bloggers suggests the key pieces of the puzzle are falling into place.
According to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, the video shows Ukrainian forces taking up positions on the eastern bank of the Dnieper, a possible springboard for efforts to retake Crimea.
Despite deliveries of American and European military aid, the Ukrainian authorities regularly demand more from Western allies, emphasizing long-range missiles and aviation.
However, Deputy Defense Secretary Celeste Wallander, speaking to lawmakers, insisted that Kiev’s most important needs were being met.
According to her, air defense systems, artillery and armored vehicles remain a priority.
US Patriot anti-missile systems arrived in Ukraine earlier this month, and Cavoli said the systems helped Kiev “control the airspace above its country and its own forces”.
“That’s what we urgently need now,” he said. “They do it very effectively with air defenses on the ground.”
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