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Over one-third of ammo planned under Czech initiative delivered to Ukraine, says envoy

Ukrainian Ambassador hopes the initiative would extend into 2025, also supporting Ukraine’s domestic ammunition production.
byYuri Zoria
03/10/2024
2 minute read
western-made 155-mm shells combat zone kharkiv oblast rfe/rl 155mm
Western-made 155-mm shells in the combat zone in Kharkiv Oblast. Photo: RFE/RL.
Over one-third of ammo planned under Czech initiative delivered to Ukraine, says envoy

In an interview with the Czech news agency ČTK on 3 October, new Ukrainian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, reported that more than one-third of planned shells have already been delivered to Ukraine under the Czech initiative. The initiative aimed to supply 500,000 rounds of ammunition by the year-end.

The initiative, proposed by Czechia in February amid Ukraine’s acute shortage of ammunition due to delays in the US and EU supplies, aims to source artillery ammunition for Ukraine from countries outside the European Union. The Czech Republic acts as an intermediary and connects individual countries with suppliers of military equipment. According to Zvarych, the deliveries have had a positive impact on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, particularly in providing much-needed 155mm ammunition.

In late September, Handelsblatt claimed that in August, the Ukrainian government notified the Czech authorities of incidents involving premature shell explosions immediately after firing. According to a letter allegedly available to Handelsblatt, the shells exploded at a distance of 20 to 60 meters from the muzzle, injuring personnel and damaging artillery systems.

Addressing recent reports by the German newspaper Handelsblatt about potential issues with the supplied ammunition, Zvarych said he had no information that there have been any problems. He suggested that such reports might be attempts to discredit the initiative, which he described as “excellent, transparent, and truly effective.”

The ambassador revealed that Ukraine is in discussions with the Czech Defense Ministry to expand the initiative. He expressed hope that ammunition deliveries would continue into 2025 and emphasized the initiative’s potential to become a tool for investing in Ukraine’s domestic ammunition production.

“Ukraine has increased its capabilities, but we need some financial resources to develop them more and have the ability to produce smaller caliber ammunition,” Zvarych explained.

The Czech initiative has garnered financial support from 15 countries as of late August 2024. The Czech Republic itself has contributed nearly 866 million crowns ($37.7 million) to the effort.

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