Ukrainian troops confront escalating challenges amid depleting resources during Russian war

Reuters reporters recently spent two weeks near the 1000-km frontline in Donetsk region, speaking to more than 20 Ukrainian soldiers and commanders in infantry, drone and artillery units fighting invading Russian troops. Their downbeat description of the war in Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year, reflects a broader acceptance in Kyiv and among its allies that depleted ranks and insufficient arms and ammunition have handed Russia the advantage. While still motivated by what they see as a choice between fighting or the horrors of occupation, the soldiers spoke of the challenges of holding off a larger and better supplied enemy as military support from the West slows. The level of attrition underlines the cost to Ukraine of defending its territory, even if the frontlines have largely stagnated in the last 14 months. “We have a big problem with manpower, we simply lack men,“ said a commander in the 59th Brigade who goes by his call sign “Limousine“. &qu