Ukrainian soldier ‘delivers’ ammunition to Ukrainian front as Western aid delays – WSJ
The Wall Street Journal published a large article about a brave Ukrainian soldier who supplies ammunition to the Ukrainian army as well as the West. On the bank of a stream in a devastated Ukrainian village, Max Polyukhovych, a 36-year-old soldier, digs through the mud in search of unused Russian artillery shells. This activity was his way of helping Ukraine in the face of an acute shortage of ammunition amid delays in military supplies from the United States.
According to the newspaper, Polyukhovych, known by his call sign “Mad Max,” has become an indispensable source of ammunition for Ukrainian brigades on the eastern front, providing them with at least 14,000 shells and 4,000 rounds of ammunition for drones. According to him, commanders are constantly asking for more ammunition because of the critical shortage of artillery shells.
Polyukhovych embarks on a dangerous search through minefields and swamps, finding leftover Russian ammunition. He uses the found explosives to make ammunition for attack drones, which are becoming a key part of Ukraine’s defense.
Despite Polyukhovych’s enormous contribution, the Ukrainian military is currently firing far fewer shells per day than necessary to effectively counter Russian occupation forces, which are taking advantage of Western delays and hesitation to seize more Ukrainian territory and kill thousands of Ukrainian citizens. Reports of an increase in the production of 152 mm ammunition in Ukraine are encouraging, but the problem of supplying Western 155 mm shells remains a concern. Ukraine cannot produce 155 mm on its own because of Western countries’ license agreements with exclusive manufacturers of this caliber.
Polyukhovych, who has been fighting in the war in eastern Ukraine for eight years, was wounded last summer, but instead of resting, he focused on producing ammunition. He and his team work in a makeshift laboratory, turning found mines and shells into ammunition for drones.
Polyukhovych’s work carries significant risk. Recently, a mine explosion killed one of his assistants. Nevertheless, he continues his mission by training other deminers to effectively locate and utilize the Russian munitions left behind.
“Mad Max” and his team use every opportunity to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, turning Russian ammunition against the Russians and providing Ukrainian troops with the necessary ammunition at this critical time.
