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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is warning Congress that it is running low on money to replace weapons the U.S. has sent to Ukraine and has already been forced to slow down resupplying some troops, according to a letter sent to congressional leaders. The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, urges Congress to replenish funding for Ukraine. Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding bill over the weekend, but the measure dropped all assistance for Ukraine in the battle against Russia. Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord told House and Senate leaders there is $1.6 billion left of the $25.9 billion Congress provided to replenish U.S. military stocks that have been flowing to Ukraine. And McCord said it would be too risky for the Defense Department to divert money from that temporary funding bill to pay for more aid to Ukraine.

Persons: Michael McCord, McCord, providesmoney, ” McCord, Joe Biden, ” Biden, “, Mark Cancian, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, The Associated Press, Ukraine, Congress, Russia, Pentagon, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Defense Department, Republican Locations: Ukraine, Russia, U.S

The measure didn't include the $6 billion in military assistance that Ukraine said it urgently needed. They argue that if Russia's invasion is not stopped in Ukraine, other nations — including NATO allies — could be endangered. That faction was pivotal in getting Ukraine funding stripped from the last-minute 45-day funding bill that prevented a shutdown. Likewise, some European allies, including Poland, have begun to pull back on their support for the war, citing the need to prioritize their own defenses. Britain, which is no longer in the EU, has pledged nearly $6.6 billion worth of military support for Ukraine.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, ” Biden, John Hardie, Mark Cancian, ” Cancian, Hardie, ”, John Herbst, Herbst, Jamey Keaten Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Pentagon, White, NATO, Patriot, U.S, Republican, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Center for Strategic, International Studies, ., Ukraine “, Atlantic Council, Kiel Institute, EU Locations: — Ukraine, Ukraine, U.S, Brussels, Russia, Poland, United States, Union, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Britain, Western, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Geneva

☆ How Chinese companies are supporting Russia's military
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In 2022, total bilateral trade between Russia and China hit a record high of $190 billion, up 30% from 2021. 2023 is set to eclipse that figure, with total trade hitting $134 billion in the first seven months. They're large enough that they could not continue without the acquiescence of the Chinese government." The companies involved in the trade tend to be small exporters, Antonia Hmaidi from the Mercator Institute for China Studies told CNBC. Watch the video above as CNBC investigates China's hidden hand in Russia's war.

Persons: Mark Cancian, Vladimir Putin's, Antonia Hmaidi, Joseph Webster Organizations: U.S . Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Mercator Institute for China Studies, CNBC, Atlantic Council, Communist Party Locations: Russia, China, Moscow, Ukraine, Beijing, U.S

☆ How surging trade with China is boosting Russia’s war
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

Mikhail Tereshchenko | Afp | Getty ImagesThe defense ministries of China and Russia did not respond to CNBC's request for comment on the trade flows. Trade of 'dual-use' goods spikesTotal bilateral trade between Russia and China hit a record high of $190 billion in 2022, up 30% from 2021. Semiconductor sales to Russia from China and Hong Kong more than doubled in 2022 as Western sanctions took hold. Meantime, construction equipment has played an "underappreciated" but significant role in China's contribution to Russia's war efforts, having helped bolster its defenses against Ukraine's counteroffensive, Joseph Webster, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said. The findings add to the growing list of Chinese goods and companies reported to be supplying Russia's military, including state-owned enterprises.

Persons: Vladimir Putin's, Mark Cancian, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Mikhail Tereshchenko, Wang Yi, China's, Putin, Li Shangfu, —, Qilai Shen, Antonia Hmaidi, Cancian, they've, Hong Kong Retekess, Legittelecom, It's, Silva, Hmaidi, Joseph Webster, Webster, that's, Ramzan Kadyrov, Russia's Organizations: CNBC, for Strategic, International Studies, Kremlin, Afp, Getty, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Bank of Finland's Institute, Emerging, Semiconductor, CNBC CNBC, Federal, Service, SZ DJI Technology, Robotics, Iflight, SZ, Technology, Bloomberg, Rostov, R Technology, Beijing KRnatural International Trade Co, Mercator Institute for China Studies Defense, Industry, Hong, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Moscow, ImportGenius, Ukraine's, Atlantic Council, Atlantic, U.S, China Taly Aviation Technologies, China Poly Technologies, EU, Beijing, National Security Council Locations: Ukraine, China, Washington, Russian, Moscow, Russia, Beijing, U.S, Kyiv, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, DJI, Liaoning, Shanghai, Berlin, Buryatia, Hubei, Korea, Pyongyang, Russia's, Amur, Chechen Republic, Qianwan, Qingdao Port, Shandong Province, deniability

The pilot, who has not been identified by the Marine Corps, did not have serious injuries and has been discharged from the hospital. Then there’s the Marine Corps’ F-35B variant, which can hover and take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The Marine Corps’ variant has a specialized seat that can auto eject to better protect pilots in case an incident occurs while the plane is in hover mode. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing told AP that there was an “investigation ongoing” and would not share any more details. The Marine Corps announced Monday it was pausing aviation operations for two days after the fighter jet’s crash.

Persons: “, ”, Mark Cancian, Cancian, Jeremy Huggins, Huggins, ___ Copp, Pollard Organizations: U.S . Marine Corps, Associated Press, Marine Corps, Emergency, Services, Charleston International Airport, AP, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Force, Marines, Corps, Joint Base Charleston, NBC News, Washington Post, 2nd Marine Aircraft, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, U.S . Department of Defense, U.S, Government, Office, The Department of Defense, Department of Defense, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: CHARLESTON, S.C, South Carolina, Indiantown , South Carolina, Charleston, Williamsburg County, Federal, Fort Worth, Australia, San Diego, Washington ,

☆ The US is boosting production for artillery crucial to Ukraine's forces as it struggles to keep up with Russia's war machine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US is ramping up its artillery production to continue aiding Ukraine and resupply its stockpile. A Pentagon official said the US aims to be producing 100,000 155mm artillery shells by 2025. "But every country struggles with munitions production as war goes on beyond a few months." Western officials, meanwhile, believe Russia is on track to manufacture two million artillery shells a year, the Times reported this week. A Ukrainian soldier carries 155mm shells for M777 artillery at a artillery position in the Donetsk Oblast on August 6, 2023.

Persons: Ukraine's, Mark Cancian, Bill LaPlante, that's, LaPlante, Diego Herrera Carcedo, Technology Douglas Bush, Bush, Cancian, Washington, Biden, sooth, Matt Rourke Organizations: Pentagon, Service, Russia, Artillery, Estonian, New York Times, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, Studies, Center, New, New American Security, Anadolu Agency, Getty, US Army, Army, Acquisition, Logistics, Technology, Ukraine, Times, White, Scranton Army, AP Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Washington, Europe, New American, Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Scranton, Pa

☆ An elite team of Ukrainian snipers dubbed 'Devils and Angels' is taking out top Russian commanders to demoralize troops: 'We work quietly, we are invisible'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian snipers are focused on taking out high-profile Russain targets and demoralizing troops. A sniper unit training near Bakhmut calls itself "Devils and Angels," The Wall Street Journal reported. The team of snipers has dubbed itself the "Devils and Angels," according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The snipers training near Bakhmut told the outlet that in addition to their marksmanship, they're training to be even more elusive in the field. AdvertisementAdvertisementAlso in June a Ukrainian sniper picked off Vladimir Andonov, a Wagner Group member known at "The Executioner" and one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most notorious mercenary fighters.

Persons: Robert Scales, Bakhmut, Fisher, Mark Cancian, Insider's Ryan Pickrell, Vladimir Andonov, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: Street Journal, Military, Service, Devils, Street, Ukraine Ukrainian, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Wagner Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia

Col. Yurii Ihnat, Ukraine’s air force spokesman, believes that two squadrons, each of 12 planes, would begin to turn the tables. Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/ReutersBut the F-16 has never gone up against Russian air defenses in the real world. “Russian air defenses are very formidable.”Rapid trainingTraining programs are getting underway for the first batches of Ukrainian pilots – in Denmark, Romania and the United States. Ihnat says about 30 Ukrainian air force pilots have adequate English, the absolute minimum required to stand up two squadrons. The Ukrainian Air Force has long been working on improving and protecting airfields that would accommodate the F-16s.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Piroschka van de Wouw, Yurii, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mette Frederiksen, Mads Claus Rasmussen, Ritzau Scanpix, ”, Mark Cancian, ” Ihnat, Oleksii Reznikov, Ihnat, Cancian, ” Cancian, James B, Hecker, ” Hecker, Frank Kendall, it’s, Mykola Oleshchuk, Su, Kendall, Biden Organizations: CNN, Air Force, Reuters, Denmark's, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Rapid, Reuters Ukrainian Defense, Ukrainian, Air Missiles, Radiation, CSIS, NATO, US, Accounting, US Air Force, US Air Forces Europe, SA, Ukrainian Air Force Locations: Danish, Russian, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Ukraine, Romania, United States, Greece, Israeli, Russia

☆ Ukraine's efforts to rack up Russian defectors and their equipment helped land the country an Mi-8 helicopter and fighter jet parts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Russian pilot defected to Ukraine with an Mi-8 helicopter and fighter jet parts this week. Ukraine offers monetary rewards to Russian soldiers who bring their equipment to Ukraine. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine has sought to incentivize Russian soldiers to defect since the war began in February 2022, launching at least two programs targeted at would-be turncoats. A helicopter — like the one a Russian pilot flew into Ukraine this week — fetches $500,000, according to the legislation. The Rada bill also promises "secrecy, a safe stay in Ukraine, and support in obtaining new documents and leaving for a third country," for any Russian soldiers who abandon post.

Persons: 30SM, Mark Cancian, Mick Ryan, Vladimir Putin's, Ryan Organizations: Service, Kyiv Post, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, Studies, Verkhovna Rada, Australian Army, Rada, ABC News, Guardian, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Kyiv Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Russia, Verkhovna, Radio Free Europe, Poltava, Kharkiv, Ukraine's

☆ A busted Russian warship may not have seen an exploding Ukrainian drone boat coming, hinting at problems that have plagued Russia throughout its war
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

A Russian warship was struck by a Ukrainian drone boat that it doesn't appear to have seen coming. Just a few days before this attack, Russian vessels were fighting off drone boats in another incident. "It just seems very strange they didn't respond at all to the incoming drone boats," Clark added. The Russian ship may have assumed it was safe in Novorossiysk, given that the port is roughly 350 miles from the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, but it shouldn't have. The reach of Ukraine's drone boats was hardly a secret.

Persons: Russia's, —, Sutton, it's, Cole, Bryan Clark, Clark, OZAN KOSE Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Russian, —, CNN, US Navy, Navy, Hudson Institute, Getty Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Novorossiysk, Moskva, Istanbul, AFP, Sevastopol, Odessa, Ukraine

☆ A large group of Russian troops violated 'military operations 101' and paid the price in a deadly Ukrainian HIMARS strike, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine said it launched a deadly HIMARS attack on five Russian units gathered on a beach. Russia seriously misjudged its soldiers' proximity to Ukrainian HIMARS, two experts told Insider. Ukraine on Tuesday said it launched a HIMARS attack on five Russian units gathered on a beach resulting in 200 casualties and destroyed equipment. A Ukrainian official in June confirmed reports from a Russian military blogger that Russian soldiers were hit by Ukrainian HIMARS while standing still for two hours for a commander's speech, rendering them sitting ducks. "At a basic tactical level, we can see the Russian military is learning from its mistakes," Miles said.

Persons: Simon Miles, Miles, Mark Cancian, Cancian Organizations: Service, The Institute, Resistance Center, Ukrainian Army, Facebook, Duke University's Sanford School of Public, Soviet Union, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, Studies, Artillery Rocket Systems, Ukrainian National Resistance Center, Russian, Resistance Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Kherson, Soviet, Moscow

☆ Ukraine may be close to surpassing Russia in active tank numbers, but Russia has a near endless supply of Soviet tanks in storage, military experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But Russia has a near indefinite supply of older tanks to replace its losses, military experts said. Ukraine's tanks, however, give the country a qualitative edge. The most recent estimates from Bloomberg put Ukraine's tank count at 1,500 active tanks compared to approximately 1,400 for Russia. It's unclear how many tanks Russia has already pulled from storage, as well as how many vehicles it has in storage to keep drawing upon. "Ukraine's tank fleet probably has as much combat power as the Russians," Cancian said.

Persons: Mark Cancian, Cancian, it's, Mick Ryan, —, Ryan, aren't Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Bloomberg, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Soviets, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, Studies, Australian Army, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian

☆ 6 ways the Russia-Ukraine war could play out in the wake of Ukraine's counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Over a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, there still does not appear to be a clear end in sight. Here are six ways the war could play out and what victory might look like for either side. Russia's war in Ukraine has been raging on for over a year, and there is still no clear end to the conflict in sight. With the largest land war in Europe since 1945 now entering a new phase, here are six ways it could play out. One senior official previously said that a Russian nuclear strike could trigger a "physical response" from NATO.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it's, Seth Jones, Mykhalchuk, Jones, SERGEY SHESTAK, Muhammed Enes Yildirim, Putin, He's, Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, LUDOVIC MARIN, they've, Spencer Platt, It's, Mark Cancian, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Scott Peterson, Mark Milley, Eugen Kotenko, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: Service, Center for Strategic, Studies ', Security, Leopard, Getty, Anadolu Agency, Marine, intel, 95th Airborne Brigade, US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Publishing, Getty Images, NATO Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Europe, South Korean, AFP, Donetsk, Crimea, Russian, Ukrainian, Siversk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, West, Kyiv, China

☆ Russian military leaders can't seem to get Wagner and its boss, Prigozhin, to fall in line, and it's a mess that goes beyond dysfunction
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The Wagner Group is a wild card that has won victories in Ukraine but also created headaches for Russia's military command. The situation is increasingly messy, as Wagner and its founder and financier have repeatedly exacerbated the growing rift between the regular Russian military and the mercenary force. Its leader also appears to make battlefield decisions independently of the defense ministry. He said that Wagner's uneasy relationship with the Russian military has evolved from being awkward to being dysfunctional to what it is now, which is counterproductive. Prigozhin said recently that "Wagner will not sign any contracts with Shoigu," referring to the Russian defense minister.

Persons: Wagner, that's, —, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Mark Cancian, they're, Russia's Wagner, Stepanenko, ISW, Valery Gerasimov, Sergey Surovikin, milblogger, Cancian Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Wagner Group, Russian, International Security, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Concord Press Service, REUTERS, Institute for, Press, Russian Ministry of Defense, Shoigu Locations: Ukraine, Paraskoviivka, Russian, Russia, Ukrainian, Concord, Bakhmut

☆ Russia captured Bakhmut, but it cost thousands of troops and has likely exhausted its remaining soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-24 | by ( Chris Panella | Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia has essentially captured the city of Bakhmut, but it paid a heavy price, exhausting its forces. The win in Bakhmut, which remains contested, is its first battlefield victory in almost a year. The win is likely Pyrrhic, and analysts say there's little Russia can do but wait for Ukraine's next move. Libkos/APUkrainian and Russian troops have been engaged in intense combat over Bakhmut for nearly a year now, and both sides have seen countless soldiers killed and wounded. ISW noted around the time of Russia's claimed victory over Bakhmut that "Russian forces will likely need additional reinforcements to hold Bakhmut City and its flanks at the expense of operations in other directions."

☆ Graphic helmet-cam footage shows an intense battle to capture Russian-occupied territory by a Ukrainian unit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Videos show 3rd Separate Assault Brigade soldiers throwing grenades and firing their weapons. 3rd Separate Assault Brigade soldiers throwing grenades and firing their weapons. A screenshot from aerial footage posted by Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade on May 9, 2023. 3rd Separate Assault Brigade/TelegramAfter a long stalemated period in the nearly 15-month-long war, the Ukrainian troops made some small gains in the highly contested area, Ukrainian military commanders said. Ukrainian military officials said their recent advances were only a "positional struggle" — and not part of a broader offensive — while Russia denied the reports of Ukrainian success.

☆ How will we know when Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive has started? Experts say look for the Western armor.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

But military experts say Kyiv's use of Western armor will signal the start of a larger offensive. "The Ukrainian counteroffensive, I think, is going to start with a bang, literally and figuratively," Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps Reserve colonel, told Insider. Ukraine's expected counterpunch will come on the heels of what turned out to be a lackluster offensive carried out by Russian forces during the winter. The armored vehicles in particular are expected to help Ukraine hit hard and exploit gains quickly with shock, firepower, and mobility. You want to keep the Russian armed forces guessing as to, is this actually the commitment of their main forces?"

☆ Ukraine has exploited Russia's monthslong 'Bakhmut fixation' as it reclaims territory and sends Russian soldiers running from the 'meat grinder,' military expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine gained an advantage over Russia by doggedly defending Bakhmut, a military expert told Insider. "The Russians have had a Bakhmut fixation," said Mick Ryan, a retired Maj. Gen. in the Australian army. The Ukrainian military does not release casualty numbers, but military experts believe the country has suffered significant losses in Bakhmut, though notably fewer than Russia. Ukraine shared a video last week of Russian soldiers running away from the city while being chased by armored vehicles. "We lured the enemy into a Bakhmut trap," Cherevatiy, the Ukrainian spokesperson, told The Journal.

☆ The US could 'screw up' Ukraine's counter offensive by exerting too much pressure on the country to deliver a decisive blow against Russia, former Army general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But a former Army general told Insider that too much Western pressure could tank the attack. "I would reject the talk that Ukraine's only got one shot," said Ben Hodges, a retired Army general. But global expectations of a triumph could torpedo the offensive before it even begins, a former Army general told Insider. While the exact timing of Ukraine's much-anticipated counteroffensive is still unknown, military experts told Insider earlier this month that the assault could start as soon as the coming weeks. But framing this offensive as make-or-break for Ukraine sets a dangerous precedent, said Ben Hodges, a retired lieutenant general and former commander of US Army Europe.

☆ Taiwan's wind industry braves cross-strait risks in clean energy boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Sarah Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

With large swathes of Taiwan's territorial waters restricted due to defense, shipping and other uses, offshore wind developers will soon run out of space. It's a question of whether you want to pay the price," insurance broker Clive Lin told offshore wind developers in a packed lecture hall in Taipei. Political risk insurance is typically not covered in mainstream insurance policies, so developers have to buy it additionally. The risk of a military confrontation and its impact on Taiwan's wind farms are hard to quantify, analysts say. "In a kinetic conflict invasion, Taiwan's going to have so many other problems, offshore wind is going to be way down on the list," Cancian said.

☆ Video appears to show Ukraine striking a Russian warehouse in Bakhmut with devastating effects using US-made smart bombs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A video shows bombs being dropped on what appears to be a Russian military warehouse in Bakhmut. The kits transform unguided free-fall bombs into all-weather, precision-guided smart weapons. The bomb kits, which transform unguided, free-fall bombs into precision-guided munitions, have been sent to Ukraine in recent months, per reports. The kits can be bolted to unguided bombs ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds, and its pop-out wings allow it to glide up to 45 miles. The account noted that this appears to be one of the first videos showing bombs equipped with JDAM-ERs in action in Ukraine.

☆ Ukraine's talking loudly about its coming counterpunch but holding key secrets tight because the stakes couldn't be higher. Here's what we know.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Insider spoke to military experts about the possible timing, location, and goals of the coming assault. Ahead of this specific offensive, Ukraine was also likely waiting for the ground to dry after a cold and muddy winter. But there's more than just military strategy to consider — politics plays a key role as well, military experts said. Military experts and analysts are betting the bulk of the offensive will be focused in Ukraine's southeast, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region. The single most important aim for Ukraine's next push is taking back its territory, the military experts said.

☆ The US could lose up to 900 warplanes fighting a Chinese invasion of Taiwan but would emerge victorious, says think tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A think tank ran war game analyses for a conflict between the US and China over Taiwan. One of the analysts told Insider the US and Taiwan would likely succeed in beating back a Chinese invasion. The Washington-based think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, conducted war games last year to imagine how such a conflict would play out. The war games are designed to help envision how conflicts would play out. China conducted military drills around Taiwan following Pelosi's visit and said that further "training and war preparation" would continue, The Guardian reported.

☆ Ukraine's tank force shouldn't stand a chance against Russia's on paper, but dumb mistakes keep tipping the scales
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Russia has more tanks than Ukraine, more updated tanks than Ukraine, and more tank options. All three Western tank models are larger than most Russian tanks and are "quite survivable" thanks to their advanced armor, according to Edmonds. It's still unclear when the Western tanks will arrive or what role they will ultimately play in Ukraine's future offensives. "This stalemated frontline where we are right now, this is not a good environment for tanks," Cancian said. But the number of incoming Western tanks — less than 150 — is unlikely to change the tides of war.

☆ Ukraine's troops fight off 'massive' Russian attacks in Bakhmut with World War I-era machine guns and sniper traps
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine has used a WWI-era machine gun on the front line to mow down the enemy. "It only works when there is a massive attack going on," a Ukrainian soldier told BBC News. Ukraine's troops have modified the guns with modern add-ons such as optics and suppressors, according to reporting from Task and Purpose. The fighting in Ukraine has repeatedly garnered parallels to World War I, with both sides locked in a brutal war of attrition featuring trenches, relentless artillery barrages, and heavy casualties. In this environment, even some of the weapons of that era have come in handy as Ukrainian troops face human wave attacks on the front line — tactics common to World War I.Ukraine has also apparently utilized a type of World War I-era sniper decoy, employing dummies meant to fool enemy snipers.

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