To repel Russia, Ukraine is preparing arsenal worth more than $30 billion, - Bloomberg
Ukraine is preparing for a counter-offensive that could push Russia to end the war or show that neither side has enough firepower to prevail. To win, Kyiv will use an arsenal of weapons from Western allies worth more than $30 billion.
This is stated in a Bloomberg publication, Censor.NET reports.
The newspaper notes that the aid Ukraine has received since December is worth more than any NATO member, except the United States, spends on weapons in a year.
A counter-offensive, according to Bloomberg, could help put an end to the Russian invasion. But this time, it may be harder for the Ukrainian armed forces to succeed than last year near Kharkiv, as a counteroffensive will no longer come as a surprise. Ukraine will have to conduct a complex combined arms operation without air superiority, coordinating infantry, armour, sappers and air defence.
The publication notes that if Ukraine achieves only minor successes, like the Russians near Bakhmut, it could lead to another winter stalemate and increased pressure on Kyiv to give up the seized territories as part of the ceasefire agreement.
The main targets of the counter-offensive are likely to be in the south.
To break through the Russian defences, the allies will need special equipment for demining, blocking trenches and demolishing bunkers. Hundreds of trucks and transporters will also be needed to move heavy armoured vehicles into position faster than Russia can react.
The Kiel Institute's support tracker for Ukraine shows that since February 2022, allies have sent Ukraine more than $67 billion worth of arms, with a peak in December.
On 3 May 2023, the United States agreed to send Ukraine another $300 million worth of arms, including more ammunition, trucks, trailers and diagnostic equipment for repair, as well as howitzers and HIMARS missiles. The $1.2 billion US package announced on 9 May will include critical supplies of 155mm artillery shells and anti-aircraft missiles.
Ukraine is also concerned that important air defence systems, such as the Soviet-era Buk medium-range missile system, are running out of missiles.
Ukrainian leaders are also calling for Ukraine to be provided with modern long-range ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles and aircraft, which Washington has been unwilling to provide so far.
Another question that remains unanswered is whether the Russians have enough troops to maintain the defences they dug in the occupied south of Ukraine during the winter. If not, they will have to guess where the Ukrainians will attack, giving Kyiv the opportunity to take them by surprise and outflank them.
If Ukraine succeeds in breaking through the front line, the number of troops and equipment could become critical, as reserves will be needed to break through any gaps.
