Page 27 - UKRRptFeb24

five missiles: the Belbek airfield was hit, damaging several Russian planes.
● Weapons
EU fulfils only third of promised supplies of artillery shells to Ukraine – Borrell
According to the latest information from EU member states, they have been able to supply Ukraine with 330,000 shells from their reserves since March 2023, a third of the 1mn promised for the year, EU diplomacy Head Josep Borrell said.
Ukraine is building its military power at the end of the war’s second year.
Last year, Ukraine significantly scaled up its UAV production. Notably, 67 models of Ukrainian drones received codification, and 58 received a state contract. In total, more than 200 Ukrainian companies are operating in a market that deals with UAVs or provides services and other products in the drone field. In 2024, it is planned to increase the number of drones at the front dramatically. In mid-December, the German drone manufacturer Quantum-Systems began to create an R&D center in Ukraine and intends to hire specialists. Also, according to Vladyslav Belbas, the director of Ukrainian Armored Vehicles, the largest private arms manufacturer, his company has received exclusive access to several industrial warehouses in Ukraine. As a result, it increased its annual production rate to 240,000 mines and 1,200 mortars of various calibers. In 2024, the company plans to grow its weapon production.
Ukraine issued a stark warning to allies that it faces a “critical” shortage of artillery shells as Russia deploys three times as much firepower on the frontlines on January 31.
And the shortage is growing worse, according to Ukrainian defence Minister Rustem Umerov. He urged European Union allies to do more to meet their pledge of supplying a million artillery rounds. Russia’s invasion is approaching its third year as Vladimir Putin seeks to drag out a bloody conflict in which his forces have killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians.
In Washington, some key Republican senators are signaling they could drop demands for harsher immigration restrictions as their price for helping Ukraine, and would back a stand-alone emergency aid package for the besieged country, along with funds for Israel and Taiwan. Far-right Republicans in the House—urged on by Donald Trump—have opposed a proposed Ukraine aid and border deal, even one including significant concessions recently offered up by US President Joe Biden.
Pentagon will transfer American high-precision ground-launched small-diametre bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine at the start of February, but the terms are not specified. The GLSDB will allow the Ukrainian military to hit targets at twice the distance as HIMARS missiles. The GLSDB transfer is an alternative to ATACMS missiles, which the US has provided in small numbers.
Ramstein meeting resulted in more weapons for Ukraine on January 24.
German defence Minister Boris Pistorius has promised to provide six Sea King Mk41 multirole helicopters with components and spare parts. Ukraine will receive 10 multi-functional inflatable vessels from Canada for a total amount of $15M. The boats and spare parts should arrive in Ukraine by the end of spring. In addition, the country will increase its contribution to the fighter coalition,
27 UKRAINE Country Report February 2024 www.intellinews.com