Ukrainian Soldiers Uneasy as U.S. Halts Military Aid
Ukrainian troops are growing increasingly pessimistic after the U.S. suspended military aid and intelligence sharing, fearing higher casualties as Russian forces press forward.
The U.S. has provided $119.62 billion in financial, humanitarian, and military aid to Ukraine, making it Kyiv’s largest supporter in its three-year war with Russia. American intelligence-sharing has been crucial, enabling Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory and intercept missile and drone attacks.
That support has now been paused following a breakdown in relations between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over disagreements on ceasefire negotiations.
The decision has left frontline Ukrainian soldiers anxious. With Ukraine losing ground on the battlefield, the fighting is expected to intensify.
"We haven’t made any advances in recent months," said Slava, a 27-year-old Ukrainian combat medic speaking to The Telegraph from a village on the Dnipro-Donetsk border. "Sadly, we no longer have the initiative."
"To be honest, things are bad and will only get worse, but we have to push forward," said Artem, a 30-year-old field medic. He estimated that Ukrainian troop casualties had risen by 20% in recent weeks.
"The numbers will climb even faster. Plus, the weather is warming up. Better conditions mean more intense battles," Artem added.
According to Slava, combat has escalated since the U.S. announced its aid suspension on March 3. She described Washington’s move as "gambling with Ukraine’s fate" and argued that "now is not the time" to cut off intelligence-sharing.
Misha, a 40-year-old soldier fighting near Kramatorsk, believes Washington is more focused on Ukraine’s natural resources than its long-term stability. He remains skeptical of any ceasefire agreement and insists his brigade will continue fighting regardless of U.S. support. However, he also worries they will be overrun if Russia keeps advancing.
Aleksander, 34, has been on the front lines for three years without rotation.
"Morale is really low in year three, but we keep holding on," he said.
A 25-year-old female soldier estimated that Ukraine could hold off Russian advances for "at most six months" without U.S. aid. She warned in an interview with BBC that "the cost of Washington’s decision will be measured in lives" and urged European countries to step up, saying they must "step out of their comfort zone."
According to Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy, European military aid to Ukraine is on par with U.S. contributions. In the short term, European nations could help fill the gap left by Washington’s withdrawal.
"The problem is that some of the advanced weaponry the U.S. has supplied cannot be easily replaced by Europe in the short term," said Patrick Bury, a war expert at the University of Bath, in an interview with AP.
Ukraine is also running low on missiles for its U.S.-supplied Patriot air defense systems—critical in protecting cities from Russian airstrikes.
On March 5, the White House signaled that it was reconsidering military aid, citing Zelensky’s recent shift in stance. After days of taking a hard line, the Ukrainian president has softened his position, praising Trump’s "strong leadership" and offering initial concessions.
Zelensky stated he wanted to see "the war end once and for all" and agreed to return to the negotiating table.
However, Artem warned that any deal with Russia that fails to account for Ukraine’s sacrifices would be an insult to fallen soldiers.
For troops on the front lines in Donetsk, even if aid resumes, it may already be too late to halt Russia’s advance.
"The front line is no longer stable. It’s no longer a straight line but zigzags, making it harder to defend," Slava explained. "Drones are the biggest challenge. You can’t drive to evacuation points as often, and you can’t stop to treat the wounded."
Despite the bleak outlook, Aleksander said Ukraine has endured difficult moments before.
"As long as the war is not over, we still have a chance to win," he said. "Russia thought they could take Kyiv in three days, and they failed. The war has lasted three years. We just have to get through this phase."
Ukrainian troops vow to keep fighting until a fair peace agreement is reached.
"We have no other choice," Slava said.
On March 6, Zelensky announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia, where his team will continue negotiations with U.S. officials.
"Our priority is peace," he said. "Ukraine is and will continue to make constructive efforts toward securing a reliable peace agreement."
(Sources: Reuters, BBC, The Telegraph)
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