Ukraine faces dire shortage of munitions and manpower as Russia ramps up offensive

John Yang:

Ukraine has been at war with Russia for more than two years now and there are signs that this year could be pivotal. Ukrainian officials say they need more munitions and support as Russia appears to be gaining ground.

NewsHour co-anchor Amna Nawaz is on the ground and keep tonight beginning a week long reporting trip. Amna what's the state of the war now?

Amna Nawaz:

John, good evening from Kyiv. You know the dire conditions that Ukrainian officials have been warning for many months now do now seem to be here, with some even expressing concern that Ukraine is potentially at risk of losing this war this calendar year.

Now two forces are essentially colliding right now. The same time Ukraine is facing a critical shortage of ammunition and artillery the same time they have a desperate need for additional air defenses. Russia has also been ramping up its air offensives it is targeting Ukraine's energy systems with a precision and aggression we have not yet seen in the war, and Russia continues to make advances in the east.

Now we know those Russian forces already occupied much of that Eastern Donbas region. They've made advances in the recent months back in February, they claimed the key city of Avdiivka, some say they are now on the cusp of claiming another key city of Chasiv Yar. And of course, they're also now relentlessly pummeling the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine's northeast, that is Ukraine's second largest city, it would be a major prize for the Russians, and majorly demoralizing for Ukrainians.

So John, Ukraine is now facing challenges on these three fronts and advancing Russian force their own critical shortages, and of course, exhausted troops after more than two years of fighting. John.

John Yang:

On the shortages of munitions can be solved by getting more aid from other countries. But how — what's Ukraine doing about the exhausting troops sort of filling that manpower gap?

Amna Nawaz:

And that manpower gap is real. It's been the source of much debate and many controversial proposals. President Zelenskyy has now lowered the draft age from 27 to 25, potentially meaning that thousands of more young men could be pulled into that fight.

But you know, John, right now in the capital city here, it sometimes feels like those frontlines of the war can really be a world away. I mean, life here unfolds at a sort of normal ish everyday pace. People go out for walks, they walk their dogs, they go to work, they sit outside at cafes and sip lattes. But that war looms large and it does occasionally and regularly pierced through that sense of normal state.

There are of course burned out Russian military vehicles from early in the war on display in the city center here right behind me. There are memorials to the war dead lining the city walls. And of course, there are air sirens that do regularly go off blaring across the city and forcing everyone to try to find shelter nearby. We experienced one or yesterday ourselves.

John, I met one young Kyiv resident who could be entering that draft range soon his name is Oleksii he works in real estate. His best friend is serving on the front line right now. But I asked him about the war and whether he feels pressure to join up.

Oleskii Melashchenko, Kyiv resident: I feel guilty. I feel guilt is that I'm sleeping in the warm bed. I can take a shower, but from my side I'm trying to help. Yeah. I know that it's not enough. And even when you died, it's not enough. But it is what it is. And —

Amna Nawaz:

Is there any part of you scared that you might get drafted and have to go fight?

Oleskii Melashchenko:

My mom of course is scared, my girlfriend is scared.

Amna Nawaz:

And you?

Oleskii Melashchenko:

Of course I'm scared. Of course.

Amna Nawaz:

John, of course with another Russian offensive expected this spring, young men like Oleksii could be called to join the fight. So, many questions remain here in Ukraine. And John will be putting all of those questions directly to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, when I sit down with him for an exclusive interview tomorrow. We'll have more on that on the NewsHour tomorrow night. John.

John Yang:

We look forward to that tomorrow night and all your reporting in the week ahead. Amna Nawaz in Kyiv. Thank you very much.

Amna Nawaz:

Thank you.