Ukraine produces 155mm artillery shells, US wants to discuss strategy with Ukraine

Kamishyn, who resigned as Ukraine's Minister of Strategic Industries in the biggest wartime government reshuffle on September 4, told the Norwegian newspaper Nettavisen that Ukraine's defense material production had doubled under his leadership. "By the end of this year, it will triple," Kamishyn stressed, according to The Kyiv Independent .

Ukrainian servicemen prepare 155 mm artillery shells at a position near the front line in Zaporizhzhia province, Ukraine, in January.

Ukraine has long been trying to increase its domestic ammunition production to become more independent of its Western counterparts. In the summer of 2023, Ukraine's state-owned Ukroboronprom corporation said it had mastered the production of 122mm and 152mm artillery shells as well as 125mm tank shells.

Ukraine hopes to start producing "much-needed" NATO-standard 155mm artillery shells as early as the second half of 2024, officials were quoted as saying by media earlier.

"This is a very complicated process. This is something that Ukraine has never done before," Mr. Kamyshin stressed, but said he "cannot say much" about the production of 155mm artillery shells.

Despite domestic efforts, the Ukrainian military remains largely dependent on supplies of 155mm artillery shells from partners, as European countries join the ranks of non-European ammunition buyers.

The US also opened a new factory in May 2023 to produce 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine and significantly increased production at several existing factories, according to The Kyiv Independent .

Biden wants to discuss strategy with Zelensky

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on September 14 that US President Joe Biden wants to discuss Ukraine's strategy with President Volodymyr Zelensky this month, according to Reuters.

President Zelensky said he wanted to present a "winning plan" that could push Russia to end its military campaign in Ukraine through diplomatic means to President Biden and the two US presidential candidates.

Mr. Sullivan added that the US is also preparing a “significant” support package with various capabilities to prevent a significant Russian breakthrough in eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces have gained control in parts of eastern Ukraine, including around Pokrovsk, an area Mr Sullivan said was of “particular concern”.

Taking control of Pokrovsk, a transport hub, could allow Moscow to open new attack routes and complicate Ukraine's logistics.

As Russia stepped up missile attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure this year, Kyiv has requested long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory.

Mr Sullivan said the issue was the subject of “deep consultation” among allies and partners, and would also be discussed between the US and Ukrainian leaders.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ukraine-tu-san-xuat-dan-phao-155-mm-my-muon-ban-chien-luoc-voi-ukraine-185240915092545922.htm