This was reported on Espreso.
"Last year, Russian production of 152-mm and 122-mm caliber shells reached 2.1 million, according to our data, closely aligning with estimates from other sources. This year, they aim to exceed 2.4 million, despite facing challenges with component shortages, similar to those faced by our European counterparts. Additionally, Russia received 180,000 shells from Iran and 1.8 million from the DPRK. With this ammunition stockpile, they could potentially fire over 6,000 shells daily," stated Zgurets.
Zgurets also assessed the potential for partner countries to supply ammunition to Ukraine.
"Regarding Ukraine, there's a project underway to supply 1 million shells from the EU. Furthermore, at Peter Pavel's initiative, we anticipate receiving between 800,000 and 1.5 million shells. There's also an unnoticed initiative from the Estonian Minister of Defense, which includes provisions for 122-mm, 152-mm, and 155-mm caliber ammunition, as well as shells for the Grad anti-aircraft missile system," he elaborated.
On February 17, at the Munich conference, Petr Pavel announced that the Czech Republic had found 800,000 shells ready for purchase outside the European Union. The politician clarified that the ammunition could be delivered within a few weeks, but that funding was needed.
The Netherlands publicly announced their participation by allocating 100 million euros for the purchase of ammunition. France will also join the initiative to procure ammunition for Ukraine outside the EU. Additionally, Germany and Norway have expressed support for the initiative.
On February 22, it became known that Canada was ready to allocate up to $22 million for shells for Ukraine. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Kroo also announced that the country would finance the Czech initiative with €200 million.
On March 2, the Czech Republic announced that they would be able to make the first deliveries of ammunition to Kyiv within a few weeks.
Later, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė stated that her country would support the Czech Republic's multilateral initiative to purchase and transfer artillery ammunition to Ukraine.
On March 8, Czech President Petr Pavel announced the completion of fundraising for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine. The government clarified that it was only the first batch of 300,000 shells.
On March 12, the Czech Republic announced the possibility of purchasing another 200,000 artillery shells for Ukraine in addition to the 300,000 already financed.
The Czech government said that artillery shells, which will be purchased at the initiative of Prague, are likely to start arriving in Ukraine in June.
Sweden has decided to back the Czech initiative to supply artillery shells to Ukraine and will contribute 30 million euros as part of the next aid package.
On March 15, the Ministry of Defense of Portugal announced a 100 million euro allocation to support the Czech initiative in sourcing ammunition for Ukraine.
The Finnish Defense Minister announced on March 19 that the government would allocate 30 million euros for purchasing ammunition for Ukraine as part of the Czech Republic's initiative.
On March 21, the receipt of the first 300,000 munitions as part of the initiative to purchase ammunition from outside the EU and transfer it to Ukraine was reported.
On March 26, the Czech Republic's Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that Ukraine could potentially receive 1.5 million shells as part of the state's initiative to purchase ammunition.