INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Ukraine has depleted its stocks of Soviet and Russian-designed weaponry and is now completely dependent on allies for arms to defend against
built around Soviet and Russian-standard equipment, small arms, tanks, howitzers and other weapons not interchangeable with those of
neighbors to the west.More than three months into the conflict sparked when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb
use, arms wielded by the United States and European NATO allies.Steady flowEarly in the war, the West was cautious about supplying much to
Kyiv, worried that doing so risked bringing about a NATO v
Russia conflict.They also feared their advanced weapons technology would fall into Russia's hands.Instead, Ukraine's allies offered up
their own stockpiles of Russian-standard equipment, including tanks and helicopters, to bolster Kyiv's troops.The United States also led
an effort to comb through other ex-Soviet countries for ammunition, parts and additional supplies that would match Ukraine's needs.But
Russian-standard arms.That means Ukrainian forces are having to switch to often unfamiliar arms built to Western specifications.Shedding
former worries over the conflict expanding or Russia obtaining sensitive technology, the United States and NATO partners are sending Ukraine
have.Under the umbrella of the 40-member Contact Group for Ukraine, allied defense chiefs are coordinating their assistance so that Kyiv's
forces receive a continuous stream of ammunition, spare parts and weaponry, said another United States military official.But officials
emphasized that if the arms appear to be arriving slowly, it is mainly because the allies want to be sure Ukraine's forces can absorb them
therefore sending its arms in stages.The latest $700 million package announced on June 1 includes four Himars artillery systems, 1,000
Javelin anti-tank missiles and four Soviet-standard Mi-17 helicopters.It also includes 15,000 howitzer shells, 15 light armored vehicles and
other ammunition."We try to keep a steady flow," the second United States official said.Push for longer-range armsKyiv has asked repeatedly
for the longer-range Himars precision missile systems, but Washington only agreed when it felt Ukraine was ready.Joint Chiefs Chairman
General Mark Milley said Wednesday that while four of the Himars systems were being prepared for Ukraine, training was focused on building
one platoon at a time to operate them, a process of several weeks that could slow their delivery.Himars is a "very sophisticated long-range
system," Milley told reporters
have a very, very good effect on the battlefield," Milley said.But, according to a United States official, the United States is not willing
to send Ukraine its Grey Eagle tactical drones out of fear they could be used to strike deep inside Russia, a move that could risk pulling
Washington into direct conflict with Moscow.
