In the early hours before dawn, the quiet of the Ukrainian front line is shattered by the thunderous roar of artillery fire. In a darkened trench, Viktor, a 37-year-old infantryman, lights a cigarette, shielding the flame with his hand. The drone of a reconnaissance UAV hums overhead, momentarily pausing above him before moving on.

"It’s one of ours," Viktor mutters, as he takes another drag of his cigarette.

For weeks, Viktor and his comrades have been subjected to relentless Russian drone and artillery attacks. By day, he watches for Russian troops attempting to cross the minefield that separates the two sides; by night, he digs and fortifies the trench. "They’re constantly firing, constantly probing," he says. "We have to survive somehow and we have to hold the line."

Viktor’s unit has been entrenched in this sector for seven months, repelling a continuous onslaught of Russian assaults. The situation on the eastern front has deteriorated significantly, with Ukrainian military leaders openly acknowledging the challenges. A failed counter-offensive last year has further sapped Ukraine’s ammunition, manpower, and morale.

During a recent visit to the front line, soldiers expressed their exhaustion and spoke of an acute shortage of ammunition. A renewed Russian offensive near Kharkiv threatens to divert crucial resources away from other areas, further straining Ukraine’s defenses.

Despite a delayed $60 billion U.S. military aid package being approved in April, analysts warn that a severe global shortage of artillery shells means Ukraine will likely remain outgunned for the rest of the year. Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured Ukraine that some of the aid is already on the way, but it is unclear how much has reached the front line.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on Western allies to expedite military support, criticizing the delays in decision-making. Meanwhile, the prospect of Donald Trump, who has questioned American military aid to Ukraine, potentially returning to the presidency has added to the anxiety.

On the ground, the reality is stark. Viktor, formerly a window framer, has been on the front line since receiving his mobilization notice four months into the war. His transition from civilian to soldier was abrupt, and the conditions in the trenches have been brutal. Through harsh winters and relentless shelling, the landscape around him has turned to ashes.

A failed Russian assault in early 2024 saw Viktor’s unit fend off an armored personnel carrier, leading to intensified shelling and chemical attacks from Russian forces. Reports indicate the use of riot-control chemical agents by Russia, allegations Moscow denies.

In another part of the front, Roman, a 38-year-old commander of a fire support platoon, monitors the battlefield from a command center. His unit relies heavily on drones for reconnaissance and precision strikes, a crucial element in the war. However, Ukraine struggles to keep pace with Russia’s production of these drones.

Roman, who left a peaceful life in France to fight, now oversees 32 soldiers. The war has transformed his life, and like many others, he sees no end in sight. “For Europe and the whole world, we’re on the front lines defending it,” he says, emphasizing the broader implications of the conflict.

Ukraine’s artillery units, like those of the 57th Motorized Brigade, are feeling the strain of ammunition shortages. Oleksii, a soldier in the brigade, highlighted the drastic reduction in their ability to fire shells. The lack of supplies has left them vulnerable and unable to provide adequate support to infantry units.

"If the Americans had passed the package sooner, Russians wouldn’t have gotten so close to Chasiv Yar," says Yurii, the 53-year-old commander of the unit. He points to the disparity in resources, with Russia having the capability to produce ammunition endlessly, while Ukraine depends on external aid.

As the war grinds on, the resilience of Ukrainian soldiers like Viktor and Roman is tested daily. With the battlefield situation deteriorating, the need for timely and sufficient support from Ukraine’s allies has never been more critical.