Delays in Western security assistance to Ukraine are “likely helping” Russia’s offensive, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). In its daily intelligence briefing, the US-based think tank said “critical Ukrainian shortages” of equipment from the West, alongside fears US military aid would stop, forced Kyiv to conserve material. This “likely encouraged Russian forces to exploit the situation and launch limited offensive operations,” it added. The ISW pointed to the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Avdiivka in the Donetsk region on Saturday, claiming delays in Western deliver…