Russia aims for 2.7 million shells this year

Kyiv, Ukraine (Svidomi) — According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russians are planning to produce 2.7 million shells this year. These figures were voiced by Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Last year, the Russians produced about 2 million 122 mm and 152 mm shells. To ramp up to 2.7 million shells this year, Russians need to upgrade their facilities or create new production lines.

In addition, Russia has already received 1.5 million 122 mm and 152 mm shells from the DPRK, half of which malfunction. In exchange for the shells, Pyongyang is seeking to receive military technologies from Moscow to build its military-industrial complex. In particular, North Korea asks the Kremlin for technologies related to nuclear weapons.

At the same time, Ukraine has a "critical" shortage of artillery shells. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov called on EU allies to make more efforts to fulfil their promise of one million artillery shells. He says that Ukraine needs at least equal firepower to that of Russia.

Currently, Ukraine needs 200,000 155mm shells per month.

Recently, the EU has acknowledged delivering only half of the promised shells by March 2024, despite its pledge to deliver one million.