Analysis: Lack of heavy guns, tanks or jets leaves Ukrainians fighting uphill battle against Russia
. Arms are airlifted to Rzeszów in south-east Poland, now defended by a US Patriot battery, and being taken on by land thereafter, where supply routes to Kyiv at least remain open. And as the footage indicates, at least some Ukrainian forces have no shortage of shoulder-mounted arms for now.
Yet it also shows what Ukraine lacks. It has no real match for Russian artillery, which has been remorselessly targetingin the east, with grim consequences for civilians. And while Russian air power has been more absent by day – because, the UK says, the air force is worried about the threat of anti-aircraft missiles – it is able to run bombing missions at night.
It is a point not lost on Ukraine’s leadership. Knowing that Nato has repeatedly said no to a no-fly zone, Volodymyr Zelenskiy opted for a different – and broader – plea in. “Please ensure that our Ukrainian skies are safe,” the president said, carefully, referring both to aircraft and artillery. Yet the help required is not forthcoming.
Britain has said it is now willing to supply anti-aircraft missiles and other countries are ready to send resupplies. But the west is not willing to supply heavy guns and tanks – or fighter jets that could help fend off Russian massed forces, after the US said it was not prepared to act as an. Such supplies, it is feared, would provoke Russia unnecessarily.
Ukraine’s dominance of social media narrative also makes it easy to ignore Russian successes. In the last 24 hours Russia’s ministry of defence has released footage of
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