Russia continues to launch attacks across Ukraine. But some observers suggest its soldiers are facing missile and equipment shortages.
The governor of the Kyiv region reported on social media of Russian shelling on Saturday. The governor of the Zaporizhzhia region said Russia had fired 10 missiles into that area as well, damaging energy facilities and other infrastructure.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Friday that no additional massive strikes were needed. The remark came after Russia carried out a wave of missile attacks in response to an explosion on a key bridge linking the country with Crimea.
The Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank, said on Friday Putin’s statement supported its assessment of Russia’s missile shortage. It said Putin knew “he would not be able to sustain high-intensity missile strikes for a long time due to a dwindling arsenal of high-precision missiles.”
The British defense ministry said in an intelligence report on Saturday that mobilized Russian reservists had been deployed to Ukraine. It added, “Their average level of personal equipment is almost certainly lower than the already poor provision of previously deployed troops.”
The report also pointed out that many reservists were likely required to purchase their own body armor. It suggested equipment shortages are an underlying cause of Russia’s poor performance in Ukraine.