The endurance of Ukrainian soldiers will soon not be able to match the manpower and missiles of the Russian army, if Congress does not allocate additional funds for military aid to Ukraine, the commander-in-chief of US forces in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, told lawmakers.
It is part of a serious warning about the direction in which the conflict, which has been going on for more than two years, is developing.
US military officials have repeatedly warned in recent weeks that Russian forces have been able to make incremental advances in Ukraine and that, without new US support, Ukrainian forces will eventually have to give up.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, the commander of US Army European Command described the situation on the military field very bluntly.
"If we don't continue to support Ukraine, it will run out of artillery shells, and it will run out of interceptors in air defense in a fairly short period of time," said General Kavoli, explaining that Kiev depends on America when it comes to that crucial ammunition.
"I can't predict the future but I know simple math," he said. "Based on my experience of 37 years in the US military, if one side fires and the other can't return fire, the side that can't fire — loses the battle."
Kavoli also said that Russia has already gained a significant advantage since US lawmakers did not pass an additional $60 billion aid package.
"The Russian side is now firing more munitions into Ukraine at a ratio of 5 to 1," the general told members of Congress. "In the next few weeks, the ratio will be 10 to 1".
"We are not talking about months. We are not talking hypothetically," said Kavoli.
Multiple US officials have warned that Ukraine's military is being forced to cut artillery spending and reduce air defense capabilities as Kiev waits for US lawmakers to approve more aid.
"We have already seen the consequences of the failure to pass the additional aid package," Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander said at the hearing, testifying alongside General Cavoli.
"We don't have to imagine what will happen," she said, blaming the lack of artillery that Ukraine receives from the US for the success of Russian attacks.
The additional defense assistance package was passed in the Senate back in February, but leaders in the House of Representatives have so far refused to bring it up for a vote.
At a news conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said members of Congress were continuing to "actively consider options for a path forward."
"It's a very complicated issue at a very complicated time. The clock is ticking and everybody feels the urgency of it," Johnson said. "But there needs to be a consensus on that, and we're working on that."
House Democrats, however, expressed frustration with Johnson's refusal to bring the bill to a vote.
"The House has been waiting for months to pass a security package to help Ukraine," said Congressman Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. "Several weeks ago we were already late. And now - every day is costing us extremely dearly when it comes to the ability to deter Russia."
House Representative Elisa Slotkin, also a Democrat, sharply criticized Johnson, saying she had to call the vote despite opposition from a small group of Republicans in the lower house of Congress.
"We have to finish it," she said. "I understand that he is at risk of losing his job because of that decision, but that's leadership - to act like an adult and make tough decisions."
Some Republicans, however, have criticized Democratic lawmakers for what they say are misplaced priorities.
"We have hundreds of thousands of Americans dying, fentanyl overdoses, child trafficking and sex trafficking, not to mention residents of 178-plus countries crossing our border," said Republican Congressman Cory Mills.
"But, oh, wait, that's not a priority. Let's secure Ukraine's borders," he said.
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