British research institute assesses that Russia has the capacity to compensate for losses in equipment.

The British research institute believes that Russia has enough weapons reserves and production capacity to compensate for losses in Ukraine for at least 2-3 years.

"Despite losing hundreds of armored vehicles and artillery pieces on average each month, Russia has been able to maintain a stable number of weapons in its arsenal," the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said in a report earlier this week.

Through satellite images, IISS determined that Russia has at least 12 artillery reserve bases, 10 tank bases and 37 military equipment depots. In 2023, Moscow reactivated at least 1,180-1,280 main battle tanks and about 2,470 armored vehicles from storage, while also producing many new heavy weapons to serve the war.

"Russia has the capacity to maintain its campaign in Ukraine for another 2-3 years at the current rate of equipment attrition, perhaps even longer," the IISS report said.

Russian infantry fighting vehicles during a training session in Krasnodar in December 2021. Photo: RIA Novosti — Russian infantry fighting vehicles during a training session in Krasnodar in December 2021. Photo: *RIA Novosti*

The British Ministry of Defense said on January 29 that Russian forces in Ukraine have lost a maximum of 365 main battle tanks since October 2023, which translates to more than 100 a month. However, Russia's current monthly tank production appears to be enough to offset the losses on the battlefield.

"Russia can now produce at least 100 main battle tanks a month, enough to make up for losses and continue to maintain the pace of attack in the coming time," the British Ministry of Defense said at that time.

However, some military experts say that they are mainly refurbished old tank models rather than new versions, so they will not be able to achieve high efficiency on the battlefield.

On the Ukrainian side, the IISS said Kiev has maintained the same number of main battle tanks as before the conflict, and has more armor thanks to Western supplies. However, this number is not enough to meet the needs on the front line, leaving some Ukrainian units without enough equipment to fully utilize their combat capabilities.

Officials and soldiers have also complained recently about shortages of weapons and ammunition, especially artillery shells, amid a decline in Western aid. The European Union (EU) on February 1 approved an additional $54 billion in aid to Ukraine after weeks of opposition from Hungary, but Washington's latest efforts to support Kiev are still stuck in Congress .

The US Senate on February 13 approved an aid package worth more than $95 billion for Ukraine, including $60 billion for military assistance and other needs. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that the body would reject the Senate bill, because Republicans said the border security provisions added to the bill were not strong enough.