Bakhmut's supporters fear losing support during the Ukraine war.

In the previous year, Volodymyr and his soldiers could simultaneously fire all 40 barrels of their BM-21 Grad rocket launcher. They are now only able to fire a few shots at a time against Russian targets.

He says, "We don't have enough ammunition for our weapon."

His outfit, the 17th Tank Battalion, is still needed to help Ukrainian forces desperately holding on to Bakhmut, the eastern Ukrainian city that Russia has been attempting to annex for months.

Russian forces are incurring significant costs as they approach their aim of capturing the city.

Volodymyr gets the order to fire his rocket launcher at a Russian mortar position about 15 kilometers away as we are hiding out in a row of trees.

His men clear the branches that were hiding their car. They immediately calculate the range as they drive toward an empty field approximately a kilometer distant.

They aim the rocket barrels towards the target while a Ukrainian drone hovering above judges their accuracy out of sight.

When they learn that their first rocket missed by about 50 meters, they swiftly return to the trees for cover, alter the elevation, and launch two more rockets. They hear that they hit the target this time.

But Volodymyr is dissatisfied with their limited ability to act. "Our guys who are dying there could have used more support from us," someone said.

He claims that Ukraine is using missiles from other nations since it has already depleted its own supply of Grad ammunition. According to Volodymyr, supplies are arriving from Pakistan, Romania, and the Czech Republic. He bemoans the "not of a good quality" of the Pakistani rockets.

The more time that has passed since the beginning of the war, the louder Ukraine has cried out for more arms and ammunition. Now, preparations are being made for a significant offensive. However, Ukraine is still spending a significant amount of money just to hold onto its position.

Ukraine still primarily relies on its older, Soviet-era armament despite the recent acquisition of modern weapons like tanks and armored vehicles.

One of its most valued belongings is the Russian-made Buk air defense system, which can target planes, drones, and missiles. We have a rare opportunity to view one further down the front line, which is similarly concealed by woods.

This cutting-edge equipment has assisted in preventing Russia from seizing control of the sky.

The Buk commander, Josef, informs me that it is "Russia's top target." This explains why so great effort was taken to safeguard it. A deep ditch lined with camouflage netting contains the long vehicle with the radar dome. There are two gray missiles on top. It typically holds four.

Maps, charts, and images from a cache of confidential US documents that were posted online earlier this month revealed extensive intelligence gathered on the conflict.

I question Josef about whether this emphasis on a severe Buk missile shortage was accurate. "No, that's not true," he adamantly states. But he acknowledges that Ukraine needs more Buks because the current supply is difficult to maintain.

We don't have enough, he claims. Because the manufacturers that make the parts are located outside of Ukraine, when a part breaks, we have no spares.

Not all of the information in those stolen US intelligence reports is disputed by Josef. He wonders if any secrets have actually been divulged.

He questions, "Why should we be angry with the Americans?" They provided information that the Russians have had for 20 years? Ridiculous!" He thinks that Russia has always been aware of the capabilities of the Ukrainian military.

However, Russia is still unsure of the exact date and location of Ukraine's anticipated invasion. It will be crucial to regaining ground and easing some of the tension felt along Ukraine's 1,300-kilometer front. Russia will need to refocus some of its forces, wherever it occurs.

But in order to carry out that offensive, Ukraine must also arm and equip fresh battalions. Feeding the front line is a struggle for both sides.

In an effort to halt Russian advances, Ukrainian troops from the 80th Brigade are already deploying hundreds of artillery rounds each day at another position close to Bakhmut.

Some of the weaponry provided by the West are already in use by them. A light artillery gun, the L119, produced in Britain, is being used by Serhiy and his men. Serhiy claims nonetheless that they too are having to limit rounds. He claims that they typically fire 30 shots every day.

He states, "We've got enough folks here right now. But we require arms. Most crucial is the ammunition.

I query Serhiy as to whether this year will make or break Ukraine. He responds, "We'll win if we go on the attack this year and recapture our land. However, if that doesn't happen, we won't have enough money to fund a conflict that lasts another five to 10 years.

Even more direct is Volodymyr, the Grad's commander. "The country is exhausted, and the economy is too," he claims.

And he worries that Western support would wane if Ukraine's military actions this year are not successful. We worry that our Western allies will weary of supporting us.