By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Russian forces are quickly burning through their stockpiles of fresh ammunition, and they may soon be forced to use older, unreliable munitions instead, a senior US military official said. Stocks of fully serviceable — or new — ammunition are "rapidly dwindling" and putting pressure on Russia to use explosives that are in "degraded conditions," the official told reporters during a Tuesday briefing, adding that Moscow likely won't be able to sustain its current rate of artillery and rocket fire past early 2023. For this reason, the official said, Russian forces have to assess their tolerance for "increased failure rates, unpredictable performance" and if the "degraded munitions" need to be restored. But since Russia has already shown over the course of the war that it will draw from an "aging" stockpile of weapons, armor, and munitions, there are indications that the country is willing to risk using ammunition that was manufactured more than 40 years ago, the official said. Western intelligence previously assessed that Russia has pulled obsolete tanks out of storage and outfitted its soldiers with Soviet-era rifles that were rendered barely usable due to poor storage over the years. If rockets and artillery shells are kept in storage for a long period of time without proper care and maintenance, they have the potential to degrade, putting them at risk to explode when they're not supposed to or simply not explode at all. "In other words," the senior military official said, "you load the ammunition, and you cross your fingers and hope it's going to fire. Or, when it lands that it's going to explode." The official added that the "Russian military will very likely struggle to replenish its reserve of fully-serviceable artillery and rocket ammunition through foreign suppliers, increased domestic production and refurbishment." Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, the top US intelligence official, delivered similar remarks earlier in December and said that Russia is burning through its munitions stockpiles faster than the country's arms makers can replace them. And as Russia expends its stockpiles of artillery and precision-guided munitions in Ukraine, it continues to face sweeping and hard-hitting international sanctions. US officials have said this pressure on Russia is why Moscow is turning to countries like Iran and North Korea for help. "This is why it's not surprising that they're reaching out to countries like Iran and North Korea to try to obtain some more dependable ammunition," the senior military official said Tuesday of Russia's struggle to restock its arsenal of munitions. A top UK envoy said Friday at the United Nations that Russia is looking to secure "hundreds" of ballistic missiles from Iran, and in return, it is offering the country "unprecedented" military and technical support. Iran previously provided Russia with a variety of combat drones, including the Shahed-136 — a suicide drone which for weeks this past fall became a go-to weapon for Moscow as it carried out attacks against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, specifically in the energy sector. The best times to look for shells are after a high tide, after a storm, in the morning, and during the winter months. Sand dollars are easily found during low tide on the beach near by the Sandbar Restaurant. The following shells are commonly found on Florida's beaches. The Junonia is more rare, and is considered a special find by beachcombers. From the horrors of war-torn Ukraine to the mourning of Queen Elizabeth II - the images that capture the major news of 2022 By Richard Ainsworth  A drag queen Margaret Thatcher and hideous wigs make Prince Andrew: The Musical a riot of ridicule
3/5 Irreverent and deliberately ridiculous, this bad taste musical is better than it has any right to be thanks to some clever writing We have visited Sea Shells five times in the last six years. When we checked in, staff at the front desk immediately welcomed us back. The staff is always welcoming, and offer to help us in any way possible. That is the main reason we have been coming back. Escape the norm at Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa in Destin FL, a breathtaking resort filled with the best in amenities, and just steps from one of the most beautiful beaches on earth. The list of features to enjoy while vacationing here is seemingly endless, beginning with a sparkling 7,500-square-foot lagoon pool at the center of the property, complete with a dancing waterfall and whirlpool. Alongside this pool are furnished cabanas featuring cable TVs, half baths, and mini fridges. There are several additional pools – both indoor and outdoor – including one just for kids. You’ll enjoy the full-service day spa and salon; a fully-equipped fitness center; a Ruth’s Chris Steak House in the clubhouse; the Sandbar and Grill on the property’s private beach, offering up tropical drinks, food, and beach views; and tennis and basketball courts. Inside the well-appointed two-, three-, and four-bedroom condos – and penthouses – you’ll feel right at home amid luxurious furnishings, fully-equipped kitchens, sweeping beach views, a whirlpool tub in the master bathroom, and tiled terraces. And if you want to take a trip outside this inclusive property, you won’t have to travel far for all that Destin has to offer, including wonderful restaurants, shopping galore, charter fishing, and a myriad of water sports choices. One vacation at Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa and you’ll be longing for more! |
