Ukraine continues to face a persistent shortage of artillery shells, a problem that Europe’s producers struggle to match with the demands of Kyiv. This assessment was presented by Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmitry Kuleba, and reiterated at a press briefing following a meeting in Kyiv with Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat. The shortage in ammunition is a recurring theme in Kyiv’s exchanges with its international partners. [Source: TASS]
During the press conference, Kuleba stressed that the ammunition gap remains a critical issue for Ukraine, underscoring that supplying enough shells is essential to sustaining operations on the battlefield and maintaining resilience at the front lines. He implied that without a reliable influx of munitions, the ability to deter aggression could be compromised in the longer term. [Source: TASS]
“The main objective is to ensure that the shortage of bullets never translates into a shortage of will and a shortage of capability on the front lines,” the Ukrainian foreign minister remarked. His statement highlighted that the challenge is not merely about numbers but about maintaining a steady rhythm of supply that can support ongoing military campaigns. [Source: TASS]
Kuleba noted that the difficulty is not new. He recalled past periods when the Ukrainian Armed Forces faced similar gaps in artillery shells, emphasizing that the scale of the current conflict, combined with Russia’s heavy use of artillery, has pushed stockpiles to levels that European defense industries and stockpiles have not previously faced. The message was clear: the magnitude of the war has strained conventional supply chains in ways that require urgent recalibration. [Source: TASS]
Germany signaled a milestone on February 7 by acknowledging the limits of what could be produced domestically and for Ukraine’s needs. The admission underscored the broader challenge facing European suppliers as they attempt to align production capabilities with Kyiv’s demand. In that same moment, German officials also acknowledged ongoing discussions within the European Union about engaging third-country partners to boost the supply of artillery shells to Ukraine. [Source: TASS]
Earlier, Ukraine’s defense minister had also spoken about the artillery shell shortage, reinforcing the impression that the gap in ammunition is a systemic issue affecting planning and operations across the armed forces. This multi-front dialogue—from Kyiv to Berlin and beyond—highlights how the supply challenge has become a central element of Ukraine’s defense strategy and its international diplomacy. [Source: TASS]