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is now stalled in Congress. Russia currently fires about 10,000 shells a day, while Ukraine only has 2,000 available, and despite Ukraine having been supplied with several high-tech weapon systems, military analysts believe the outcome of the war will depend on the ability to fire more artillery shells than the enemy. At the same time, officials say that Russian production capacity is still limited, and factories will probably peak sometime in 2025.
Germany allocates $325 million to Czech-led initiative for Ukraine. Berlin has pledged 300 million euros ($325 million) to a Czech-led initiative to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, Bloomberg reported on March 21, citing people familiar with the decision.
Slovenia to join Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told journalists that Slovenia will join Czechia's initiative to supply artillery shells for Ukraine, Radio Prague International reported on March 26.
Pavel: Allies collect required funding to purchase 800,000 shells for Ukraine. Czech President Petr Pavel said on March 7 that after Norway had joined the Czech-led allied initiative on purchasing 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine, the required funds were collected, Czech outlet CT24 reported. Ukraine’s allies have collected all the financing needed for the Czech-initiated purchase, said President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel. The necessary amount was reached after Norwegian authorities promised €140M for Prague's initiative, which has been joined by 18 other countries, TV channel ČT24 reported. The projectiles are planned to be delivered to Ukraine within a few weeks. Exact timelines will depend on contract and delivery schedules and may vary. The EU ministers of defense and foreign affairs are expected to discuss the initiative’s details later this week, during which an agreement should be reached. Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Canada are among those who have already joined the Czech Republic’s initiative. On March 1, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic Jan Jireš said that the first batch of artillery shells the Czech Republic has sourced for the Armed Forces may arrive in Ukraine in a few weeks. According to several estimates, Ukraine needs at least 200,000 shells every month to continue fighting Russian forces.
Iceland joins Czech ammunition initiative, commits 2 million euros. The Icelandic government announced on March 25 that they will spend two million euros on the project. Iceland also said they will support the purchase of equipment for servicewomen in the Ukrainian army.
Lithuania transfers 155-mm artillery shells to Ukraine. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense announced the transfer of 155-mm artillery shells to Ukraine on March 7. Artillery shells are among the most crucial military supplies for Kyiv, as they are used daily in high numbers on the Ukrainian battlefields.
France joined the shell coalition on March 6 and Germany also joins the projectile coalition and will buy ammunition worth hundreds of millions of euros. Germany will take part in the Franco-Czech initiative to purchase hundreds of thousands of artillery shells for Ukraine's armed forces, said Steffen Hebeshreit, a representative of the German government. Projectile procurement will occur in countries that are not members of the European community within the EU. Germany is actively negotiating with the Czech Republic on this issue, and a decision will be made soon. It is also noted that Germany's contribution to this project will amount to hundreds of millions of euros. According to the estimates, the Bundestag will purchase hundreds of thousands of shells. The Ukrainian armed forces have repeatedly emphasized that the help of partners is necessary for an effective defense and the liberation of Ukrainian territory from the occupying Russian forces. In particular,
25 UKRAINE Country Report April 2024 www.intellinews.com