Russia Reports Significant Increase in Production of Artillery Shells
On Thursday, Russia’s defense minister announced a significant increase in artillery shell production, stating that it had surged nearly 2.5 times over the past year, while production of artillery components had skyrocketed by a factor of 22. This escalation in production comes as Moscow accelerates its rearmament efforts, aiming to outpace Western supplies to Ukraine.
Russia’s heightened artillery production could play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the conflict in Ukraine, where artillery and drones are extensively utilized. The West is concerned that Russia’s bolstered artillery capabilities could lead to further battlefield successes.
According to a report by CNN earlier this month, Russia’s artillery munitions production is nearly three times greater than that of the United States and Europe combined, based on information from unidentified Western intelligence sources.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu commended weapons manufacturers for their efforts, noting that orders to expand artillery production had been fulfilled ahead of schedule. He praised workers for their round-the-clock dedication, highlighting a substantial increase in production volume, particularly in components for artillery ammunition.
Shoigu hinted at even more ambitious targets for the current year, although specific details were not disclosed. He cited an example of a defense plant that now achieves in one month what it previously accomplished in an entire year.
Russia primarily utilizes 152-mm and 122-mm shells in its artillery operations. Despite the sensitivity surrounding weapons production, Reuters could not independently verify the reported increase in Russian munitions production.
The escalation in artillery production comes amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, initiated by President Vladimir Putin in February 2022. Russia currently controls a significant portion of Ukrainian territory, claiming it as part of its own. However, Ukraine disputes this claim, condemning it as an imperialistic land grab and vowing to expel all Russian forces from its soil.
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