Germany to support Ukraine with 180,000 artillery shells via Czech initiative

Ukrainian servicemen look into the sky for Russian drones at a position near a frontline in Donetsk region
Ukrainian servicemen of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar" look into the sky for Russian drones at a position near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine March 31, 2024. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova/File Photo
Source: REUTERS

Germany to support Ukraine with 180,000 artillery shells via Czech initiative

Germany will support Ukraine with 180,000 rounds of artillery shells as a contribution to a Czech-led plan to buy ammunition for Ukraine, with a price tag of 576 million euros ($618 million), the defence ministry said.

The most pressing need for Ukraine two years after Russia's full-scale invasion has become artillery ammunition, which is running low as the sides use heavy cannon fire to hold largely static, entrenched positions along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line.

Last month, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced a 478 million euro aid package for Ukraine, excluding the support for the Czech ammunition initiative.

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"The total value of both support measures is therefore over one billion euros," a spokesperson for the ministry told Reuters.

More countries have been signing up to the Czech initiative to source hundreds of thousands of rounds from outside Europe for Ukraine.

Germany's share will account for 40% of the initiative, the ministry said.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.