Inside an Outgunned Ukrainian Front-Line Artillery Unit | WSJ

Wha Armada. So the soldiers just fired their shells and they said they hit their target. But it’s a David to this right now is there’s gonna be a retaliation strike. So we have to get out quick. I mean, what we are in eastern Ukraine headed out to a artillery position. Now, artillery has become the most important part of this war. But Ukrainians all around the country are telling us they don’t have enough shells. So today we’re going to talk with some of the soldiers here to understand how they’re working and what they need miles from the front line. This artillery team of the Ukrainian 24th Mechanized Brigade has been working around the clock to try to slow the advance of Russian forces with this M 109 Paladin howitzer in the name of which man is the time is the blizzard. The soldiers that we’re talking to here are saying that this is one of the most important pieces of weaponry that they have in their arsenal. The problem is without a constant stream of ammunition to support it. These weapons are more of a liability. The soldiers say they are outgunned for each artillery round that Ukraine fires. Russia fires 10, they now have to conserve remaining shells by prioritizing targets that pose immediate risks. Now, a few weeks ago, the American government passed a bill that said that they are going to replenish much of the needed ammunition here. But so far, a lot of the soldiers here haven’t seen that arrive. So the need for shells is only growing. The soldiers say a steady supply of weapons would not only support their fight against Russia, but it also ultimately serves American interests. Uh, American. In the middle of our interview, the soldiers get a call. There’s a Russian target. They run to position radio coordinates and take aim for you. Arm ari over the course of 20 minutes. The team fired eight shells on the target, correcting their aim as they worked. There is Walker. I see. So, so the soldiers just fired their shells and they said they hit their target. Worry now is there’s going to be retaliation strikes. So we have to get out quick. We got in the vehicles and left before any potential return fire. There was a target, a few ones and in every one we have who work well, the common man said that it was very good. So the guys are happy and you enjoy this. Yes, good story.

Ukraine is running desperately low on ammunition ahead of an expected Russian offensive. Ukrainian artillery teams have been working around the clock to try to slow Moscow’s advances with the M109 Paladin howitzer. Troops say that they are outgunned —for each artillery round fired, Russia fires ten.

WSJ’s Ben C. Solomon spent time with an artillery team under pressure as its supply of shells dwindles.

Chapters:
0:00 Firing shells
1:03 Artillery basecamp
2:27 Foreign aid package
3:31 Firing on targets

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27 comments

  5. The Nato plan was to just hold the broke, unskilled and old technology Russian military and they would fold. Sadly this plan by Nato and America was a failure form the start as it was designed to just hold but not outright win .This is a recipe for disaster and were seeing it ! There facing a Russian military that due to receiving trillions in oil deals can fund a War and also has the manpower, skills, and military equipment to continue to destroy Ukraine little by little . The cry from the very start was we need more of everything and 2 years later the cry is still we need more of everything . When the money stops flowing by the Billions to Ukraine which it will then Russia will keep it original enclaves it was fighting for and perhaps more .Leaving what they don't get a ruins heap of destruction and death behind . Ukraine knows it is not going to win this and will have to allow for an agreement which they lose territory but not the whole Country. This is the reality here . Ukraine has been the dumping ground for both America and Russia, as they throw old armored vehicles and military equipment to Ukraine both of them Replenish there own militaries with newer and more advanced weaponry, advanced armored vehicles and advanced technology and weaponry . The military industrial complex of both America and Russia are thriving and manufacturing like crazy making a lot of business off others destruction and deaths . Sad but true .

  7. Don't doomscroll and wimp because it is what enemy wants you to do!

    Instead donate to the defenders and enjoy the nice weather! It will help soldiers and you!

  13. Russian objective is to force erratic Zelenskyy (the Economist described Zelenskyy literally screaming at his generals nowadays) to shuffle his remaining reserves (most of them exist only on paper at this point) to try to plug numerous holes. These senseless Zelenskyy actions will only increase the number of holes and precipitate Zelenskyy regime demise. In his interview to Reuters Zelenskyy (he is such a big mouth) basically said that unless NATO would immediately start fighting Russia in Ukraine with NATO troops on the ground and in the air Zelenskyy regime would go down. It reeked of desperation.

  14. Russia has almost an unlimited military vs Ukraine. Plus they are fighting for the motherland. They will never retreat.

  16. Russia with shovels against natos most advanced weapons ? Is that all 😂😂😂 guess russia sleeping then

  17. You can do your propaganda all day but Russians fire power is 6 to 1 or even 10 to 1. Russians are going forward every single day you can check the map. — The only question how many young men do you send to die?

  19. May 2023: "Shoigu! Gerasimov! Where is ammo?"

    May 2024: "Umerov! Syrskiy! Where are fortifications?" 🤫🤭

  24. What they really mean they need a constant flood of our taxpayers money, enough already negotiate, no amount of money ir weapons will save Ukraine

  26. Propaganda clearly the solider wad given a script to talk about.. Russia have no means to take Ukraine or nato stop this nonsense are you not the people who said Ukraine is winning or you destoryed 80% of Russia russia suffering massive losses human waves out of missles you name it

  27. Ukraine only fires their artillery to show their position to the Russians who can destroy the Ukrainian artillery that fired one shell with a lancet drone… that is the reality and pathetic truth that WSJ willfully and knowingly and intentionally OMITTED! LIARS!!!!

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