Russian troops' ammunition shortage undermines Bakhmut advance

The shovels are likely the same ones used to dig trenches and which have been used on the front line by Russian forces since days of the czars. The ministry added that the increased close-quarter fighting was probably due to a continued focus from Russia's military on deploying soldiers on foot due to a lack of artillery ammunition. A Ukrainian soldier ducks for cover during artillery fire close to Bakhmut on Sunday, the scene of intense fighting for months. Separately, writing on his company's press service Telegram channel on Sunday, Prigozhin said ammunition that had been promised by Moscow in February had not arrived. Both sides have faced challenges in supplying front-line troops across Ukraine’s vast countryside with ammunition and equipment, and both appear to be turning to their closest allies for help.