Ukraine to Receive Million Artillery Shells Through Czech-Led Initiative.

A Czech-led initiative to procure artillery ammunition for Ukraine has successfully raised over €1.6 billion, announced Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on May 28, 2024. This initiative aims to supply Ukraine with nearly a million artillery shells sourced from non-EU countries to bolster its defense against Russian aggression.
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On March 11, an image showing pallets of 155mm artillery shells being prepared for shipment at a European production facility (Picture source: Ukrainian Front information group)

During an official visit to Prague, Shmyhal engaged in talks with various European leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Discussions focused on implementing the artillery initiative, with Shmyhal emphasizing the importance of timely and systematic delivery of the ammunition starting from June. The initiative has garnered support from a coalition of 20 countries, reflecting significant international effort.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala confirmed that the first deliveries of 155mm calibre ammunition, amounting to tens of thousands of rounds, are expected to arrive in Ukraine by June. Leaders involved in the initiative aim to ensure the delivery of half a million artillery shells by the end of the year. The funding has primarily come from 15 EU and NATO members, including the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

This effort is crucial as Ukraine faces a shortage of munitions amid ongoing Russian offensives, particularly in the eastern regions. President Duda highlighted the strategic importance of artillery in Ukraine’s defense, warning of a potential major Russian offensive. Meanwhile, Hungary’s pro-Russian government continues to block EU attempts to send additional military aid to Ukraine, causing frustration among other EU leaders. Hungary’s veto on EU military assistance has now reached approximately €6.5 billion.

The initiative underscores the collaborative efforts of European nations to support Ukraine, despite internal EU challenges. The Czech Republic’s role as a mediator in this initiative highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing Ukraine’s urgent defense needs.

Since the Russian invasion began, Ukraine has received significant deliveries of 155mm artillery shells from Western allies to sustain its defense efforts. This ammunition has been crucial in countering Russian advances, but the high rate of usage has outpaced production. Despite efforts by countries like the United States and France to increase production, meeting the demand remains challenging. For instance, the U.S. has awarded contracts worth $522 million to boost artillery shell production, and France has committed to tripling its production to support Ukraine.

One major difficulty in producing sufficient 155mm shells is the complex manufacturing process, which requires specialized facilities and materials. The scale of demand due to intense conflict has exacerbated supply chain issues, leading to shortages. Western countries are also cautious about depleting their own stocks to avoid compromising their military readiness. Unlike Russia, which has streamlined production processes and often prioritizes quantity over precision, NATO countries maintain rigorous quality standards, which slows down the rate of production.

Moreover, while Russia continues to produce and deploy a large volume of ammunition, Western countries must balance supporting Ukraine with maintaining their own defense capabilities. This delicate balance has led to strategic decisions about what can be supplied without significantly impacting their own operational readiness, illustrating the complexities and challenges in sustaining long-term military support in a high-intensity conflict.