War in Ukraine hinges on who gets more missiles and artillery first
- Ukraine conflict continues to churn through troops and munitions at a frightening pace
- In critical turning point, the US said it plans to send Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine
The potential addition of Patriot missile defence batteries to Ukraine’s arsenal comes as Kyiv and Moscow both face a critical question with the war in its 10th month: can they secure enough missiles and artillery through winter to prevail?
A combination of cold, but still wet weather and Russian consolidation along defensive lines has slowed advances by either side on Ukraine’s battlefields, but not the war’s intensity.
The conflict continues to churn through limited reserves of troops and munitions at a frightening pace.
The big worry now for Russia this winter is to avoid ceding more territory to Ukrainian counteroffensives, according to three people close to the Kremlin and the Russian defence ministry.
They cited concerns that the supply of ammunition and weapons has been too slow to ensure Russia’s forces hold their ground.
Which side runs low first could decide whether Ukraine or Russia emerges in the spring with the strategic initiative to potentially end the war on its terms.