Russia has been taking advantage of the battlefield situation in Ukraine as U.S. military aid remains held up in Congress, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Ukraine has heavily relied on weapons and ammunition from the U.S. and other allies in their fight against invading Russian forces for over two years. Despite some successes, Russia has recently achieved victories that have put Ukraine on the defensive. While some European allies have increased aid to Ukraine, the stalling of U.S. military aid has allowed Russia to capitalize on the battlefield.
According to ISW, Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine have experienced a degradation due to a lack of military equipment and supplies, directly linked to the withholding of U.S. aid. The report suggests that the current materiel shortages resulting from the lack of assistance are allowing Russian forces to make tactical advances. Russian forces are taking advantage of these shortages, and further delays in U.S. assistance could lead to more threatening gains by Russia in the future. The Biden administration has been urging Congress to pass the national security supplemental request to address this critical need.
The Senate approved a $95 billion aid package in February, including $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine. However, the package has been stalled in the House due to opposition from some House Republicans. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to break the package into separate bills, with a standalone vote on aid to Ukraine and Israel. The White House has expressed opposition to a separate Israel aid bill. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has compared support for Israel to support for Ukraine, highlighting the need for full support to combat threats like Iranian drones and missiles.
The delay in U.S. military aid to Ukraine has enabled Russia to capitalize on the battlefield, leading to a degradation of Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine. The ISW report underlines the importance of U.S. assistance in maintaining Ukraine’s defense against Russian offensive operations. The ongoing political debate in Congress over the aid package has left Ukraine vulnerable to Russian advances, highlighting the urgent need for bipartisan action to support Ukraine’s defense.
As Ukraine struggles with shortages in supplies and equipment, Russian forces are exploiting these weaknesses to make tactical gains on the battlefield. The continued withholding of U.S. aid is undermining Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian aggression. It is crucial for Congress to pass the national security supplemental request to provide the necessary support to Ukraine in countering Russian threats. The fate of Ukraine’s defense and security depends on the timely delivery of military aid from the U.S. and its allies to counter Russian advances in the region.
