Russia running out of ammunition, losing ability to advance - UK intelligence

In recent weeks, Russian artillery ammunition shortages have likely worsened to the extent that extremely punitive shell-rationing is in force on many parts of the front.

According to Ukrinform, the UK Defense Ministry said this in its latest intelligence update published on Twitter.

This has almost certainly been a key reason why no Russian formation has recently been able to generate operationally significant offensive action.

"Russia has almost certainly already resorted to issuing old munitions stock which were previously categorized as unfit for use," British intelligence said.

A presidential decree of March 3, 2023 laid down measures for the Ministry of Trade and Industry to bypass the authority of the managers of defense industries who fail to meet their production goals.

"Russia is increasingly applying the principles of a command economy to its military industrial complex because it recognizes that its defense manufacturing capacity is a key vulnerability in the increasingly attritional 'special military operation','" British intelligence said.