Ukraine update

A gloomy mood hangs over Ukraine’s soldiers nearly two years after Russia invaded their country. As Russian forces aim to push deeper into eastern Ukraine this winter so that Russian President Vladimir Putin can cite this momentum as he campaigns for reelection, Ukrainian soldiers say they remain fiercely determined to win, despite a disappointing counteroffensive this summer and signs of wavering financial support from allies. MORE

Messenger - As President Volodymr Zelenskyy returns home with no deal for additional U.S. aid, he and his commanders face one shortfall that may matter as much as any: Ukraine is running desperately low on ammunition.  As The Messenger reported last week, U.S. and Ukrainian officials concluded in a series of recent meetings that Ukraine’s stocks of artillery ammunition were badly depleted, and that the deficit could significantly hinder its war effort in the coming year.  The U.S. has supplied more than 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine. And for all the high-end weapons systems the U.S. and Europe have provided, the fact is that without a resupply of ammunition, Ukrainian forces won’t be able to keep fighting. (Read More)