Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered an increase in the production and delivery of weapons for Russia‘s ongoing “military operation” in Ukraine.
The Russian defence ministry announced this move on Wednesday (May 1) as Moscow seeks to sustain its offensive in Ukraine. The announcement comes as Russian forces continue to make daily tactical advances, particularly in the southeastern region of Ukraine.
Russia currently controls just under a fifth of Ukraine‘s territory, most of which was seized during the first few months of the war that began in February 2022.
During a meeting with top military commanders overseeing the operation in Ukraine, the chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, delivered a report to Shoigu.
The minister emphasised the importance of maintaining the momentum of the offensive by increasing the supply of weapons and military equipment.
Shoigu said: “To maintain the required pace of the offensive … it is necessary to increase the volume and quality of weapons and military equipment supplied to the troops, primarily weapons.”
Russian forces have made several tactical advances in recent weeks, gaining ground in the Donetsk region and consolidating their positions in the Kharkiv region. The Russian Defence Ministry also claimed that its forces had taken the village of Semenivka, further highlighting Russia‘s steady advance.
Ukraine‘s top commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, warned on Sunday that Ukraine risks losing more ground if Western countries do not deliver weapons quickly.
He announced the retreat of Ukrainian troops from villages near Avdiivka, a key stronghold in eastern Ukraine that Russia captured earlier this year.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed this concern on Monday, stating that the alliance’s delays in delivering promised military aid had allowed Russia to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
“Serious delays in support have meant serious consequences on the battlefield,” Stoltenberg said during a news conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He explained that the lack of ammunition has allowed Russian forces to advance along the front line, while the absence of effective air defence systems has enabled Russian missiles to strike their targets.
Additionally, the lack of deep-strike capabilities has made it easier for Russian forces to concentrate their power.
Western partners have pledged to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” but the reality of delayed military aid has affected Ukraine‘s ability to defend its territory. US military assistance was held up for six months due to political disagreements in Washington, while Europe’s military production has not kept pace with demand. Ukraine‘s own production of heavy weapons is only now starting to gain momentum.
President Zelensky acknowledged that new Western supplies are arriving but stressed that the process must be expedited. “This process must be speeded up,” he said. The 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front line has shifted little since early in the war, but Russian forces continue to make incremental gains, particularly in the Donetsk region, where massive firepower and sheer numbers are driving their progress.
Tyler Mitchell