A Ukrainian soldier prepares 155mm artillery shells in his fighting position in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on August 6, 2023. Diego Herrera Carcedo / Anadolu Agency
ABC News: Pentagon chief in Kyiv amid questions over future US arms supplies
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made a surprise trip to the Ukrainian capital.
On a surprise trip to the Ukrainian capital, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin tried to rally support for Ukraine and even suggested Ukrainian forces would be “even more aggressive” in their fight against invading Russian forces throughout this winter.
Austin’s buoyant prediction about the next phase of fighting comes after Ukrainian forces failed to achieve any decisive breakthrough during a six-month counteroffensive which came at a heavy cost for Ukrainian troops. There is also serious concern in Ukraine about the longer-term future of U.S. military aid, with some Republicans wanting to halt support.
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WNU Editor: The key sentence in the above ABC News report is this one ....
.... Just ahead of Austin’s trip, a Ukrainian official told ABC News that U.S. deliveries of NATO-standard artillery shells to Ukraine have fallen "by more than 30%" since Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza began last month.
In response the Pentagon is denying these claims .... Pentagon dismisses claims that projectile supplies to Ukraine shrank by 30% (Ukrainska Pravda). More here .... Pentagon denies claim that shell deliveries dropped 30% (Kyiv Independent).
ABC News: US Shell Deliveries To Ukraine Have Dropped Over 30% Since The Start Of The Israel - Hamas War
Ukraine’s artillery supply declines as shells go to Israel -- Defense One
ABC News: US shell deliveries to Ukraine have dropped over 30% since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack -- Kyiv Independent
US reduces artillery shells supply to Ukraine by more than 30% -- Ukrainska Pravda
Supplies of shells to Ukraine drop by 30% since Israel-Hamas war - ABC News -- RBC News Ukraine
ABC: US shells delivered to Ukraine down 30% since start of Israel-Gaza conflict -- NHK