“155mm shell supply and speed decreased… “The warehouse is empty”
“Whether it’s good or bad, this is life… “We must protect what is ours”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confessed that artillery support coming into his country has decreased. This is because instability has increased in the region after the Palestinian armed political faction Hamas raided Israel on the 7th of last month (local time).
According to AFP on the 16th, President Zelenskyy said at a press conference held in the capital Kiev that day, “(Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas last month), the supply of 155mm artillery shells, which are widely used in eastern and southern Ukraine, has decreased. “The speed has really slowed down,” he said.
He said that warehouses are now empty and that it is difficult to supply artillery shells to some states. He added that the minimum supply is not enough to maintain the line.
President Zelensky said, “Everyone is just fighting to secure (stock reserves) for themselves,” and added, “This is life. This doesn’t mean it’s positive. “(Just) this is life, and we have to protect what is ours,” he said, showing a detached attitude.
However, he applauded the U.S. move to increase military production, saying, “This is different from what the U.S. said about not giving anything to Ukraine.”
President Zelensky’s remarks can be interpreted to mean that although the lack of support is regrettable, it is understandable considering the support provided so far and the global security situation. Also, rather than blaming the West over the decline in support, they will wait and seek ways to help themselves.
Both Russia and Ukraine have complained of a shortage of artillery shells as the war continues. In particular, as winter approaches, more emphasis is being placed on offensives centered on artillery rather than engagements using infantry power.
The European Union’s plan to provide 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine within a year is likely to fail. To date, supply remains at around 300,000 rounds.
On the other hand, the National Intelligence Service determined that North Korea transported various weapons to Russia, which is fighting the war in Ukraine, on about 10 occasions, supplying more than 1 million artillery shells and dispatching multiple artillery experts.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.