Ukrainian forces are impatient for more Western weapons

Ukraine continues its counteroffensive against the Russian forces, in particular in the Bakhmut region and in the occupied cities of Berdyansk and Melitopol.

But despite the supply of weapons from the West, most of the fighting still takes place with Soviet-era equipment. On the ground, soldiers stress the urgency of delivering on NATO’s promise of more weapons.

Volodymyr, leader of the 59th. Ukrainian Brigade:“We learned a lot. And now we can teach others. I think that the countries that gave us weapons have already seen how they work and how they can be coordinated in our training field. So we will be a great advantage for them and help each other.”

The US decision to provide cluster bombs has sparked controversy among allies, but Ukrainian soldiers welcome the pledge.

“Igor”, Ukrainian officer:“I think we should use all kinds of weapons to defend ourselves. We are not fighting in their lands, we are defending ours and we want to liberate it. We want to push them beyond borders, drive out evil and they let them do whatever they want in their own area.”

The Ukrainian military said on Thursday that it had destroyed at least twenty Iranian-made drones used by Russia in attacks on the Kiev region.