Ukrainian Military Receives Howitzer Ammunition Supply To Resist Russian Troops

JAKARTA - Ukrainian soldiers operating howitzers in Kharkiv region near Russia's borders are working around the clock to stop Moscow troops from attacking, after they receive long-awaited supplies of ammunition.

Ukrainian troops have been'surprised' for months due to a shortage of artillery shells and other weapons, as the US Congress moves to contain billions of dollars in military aid. Meanwhile, Russian troops continued to increase their pressure and advance in the east front.

Approved by a US$61 billion aid package that was late in approval last month, Ukrainian leaders say a crippling supply shortage is starting to ease.

Ukrainian troops in the northern district of Kharkiv said the fighting was more intense than their previous assignment in Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine that Russia captured last year and fell into rubble due to months of fighting.

"Their Infantry continues to arrive, we continue to fight their attacks. At least we try to do so. Whenever possible, we bring them down," said Pavlo, a shooter from Ukraine's 92nd Separate Attack brigade operating howitzer.

"In the past we were placed in the Bakhmut area, now we are moved here. It's far away 'hot'. There we don't have bullets. Here, at least we have bullets, they start sending them. There's something we have to do. with, to fight," he said.

Russian troops broke through the border earlier this month and said they had seized about a dozen villages.

Vovchansk City, 5 km (three miles) inside the border, remains the focal point of the attack. Ukrainian troops took control of about 60 percent of the city and fought from house to house to fend off Russian attacks.

The big stakes, capturing Vovchansk will be Russia's most significant advantage since launching the attack. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, is 70 km away.

"We saw them walking on the road, 5 km from Shebebino," Vitalii, commander of the brigade artillery unit, said in reference to a town on the Russian side of the border.

"We saw them walking towards their position. As they moved, of course we tried to hit them, to cause as many victims as possible," he continued.

Vitalii believes the bullets will continue to arrive as everyone is aware of the importance of defending their ranks.

"Yes, we will get ammunition because we are facing a large and serious enemy group," he said.

"If we can show now that we are capable of stopping massive enemy attacks in Kharkiv and Kharkiv regions in extreme situations like this, then the enemy will not dare to think about attacking Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, or Poltava regions," he said.