Is Putin running out of ammunition or directing his attacks elsewhere?

The intensity of Russian drone and missile attacks appears to be decreasing compared to the same period last year. This could be due to two reasons: either Moscow is running out of ammunition or they are directing their attacks elsewhere.

Russian forces conducted more intensive and extensive strikes during the fall 2022 campaign, suggesting that Russian forces may now be rationing their use of high-precision ammunition or may simply run out of the ammunition needed to support the strike campaigns at their previous pace and intensity.

US and UK military services also suggest that the pace of Russian operations around Bakhmut – a key target for Moscow, which sees the town as a stepping stone towards completing its conquest of the eastern Donbass region, appears to be slowing amid the Western reports that Russian forces may attempt to launch offensives in other directions.

Russian forces are currently intensifying their offensive operations around Avdiivka, aiming to encircle the settlement from the north and south. It is possible that they are doing this to the detriment of their operations around Bakhmut and the stalled offensive around Vuhledar.

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