Ukraine’s counteroffensive plans are hampered by a lack of proper weapons, including modern fighter jets and artillery ammunition, according to the country’s military commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny in an interview published Friday.
Zaluzhny told The Washington Post that he is dissatisfied by the West’s sluggish delivery of promised weapons.
It “pisses me off” that people in the West are complaining about the slow start and development of the long-awaited battle against Russian occupation forces in the country’s south.
Zaluzhny stated that his Western supporters would not start an offensive without air supremacy, but Ukraine has yet to receive the F-16 jets promised by its allies.
“I do not need 120 planes. I’m not going to threaten the whole world. A very limited number would be enough,” he told the newspaper.
“But they are needed. Because there is no other way. Because the enemy is using a different generation of aviation,” he said.
According to The Washington Post, Putin also complained that he only possesses a fraction of the artillery munitions that Russia is firing.
Zaluzhny stated that he is in frequent communication with Western partners, such as Pentagon Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley, who are acutely aware of his requirements.
However, Milley cannot make the decision alone, and the delays are lethal, according to Zaluzhny.
“It’s just that while that decision is being made, in the obvious situation, a lot of people die every day — a lot. Just because no decision has been made yet.”
“This is not a show,” Zaluzhny said.
“It’s not a show the whole world is watching and betting on or anything. Every day, every meter is given by blood,” he said.
Speaking later Friday in Washington, Milley said the United States and allies were working hard to supply Ukraine.
“We are giving them as much help as humanly possible,” he said.
Milley stated that the US was continuing in talks with Ukraine about sending F-16s with ATACMS precise missiles, which could more than increase the range of Ukraine’s troops.
He acknowledged that some individuals were frustrated with the counteroffensive’s pace.
The counteroffensive “is advancing steadily, deliberately working its way through very difficult minefields,” according to Milley.
“Sure, it goes a little slow but that is part of the nature of war,” he said.
“War on paper and real war are different,” he added.
