Kyiv has received a ‘third’ of 500,00 shells promised by Prague- Ukrainian envoy

Source: Ceske Noviny

Ukraine has already received “more than a third” of the 500,000 artillery shells promised tto be delivered by the end of 2024 as part of the Czech initiative, according to Vasyl Zvarych, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Czech Republic.

The diplomat revealed that 155mm caliber shells are the most “immediate need” for Ukrainian forces as Kyiv seeks to Czech approval on the expansion of the project.

He also dismissed the report by the German newspaper Handelsblatt, claiming Kyiv was complaining over “faulty ammunition”.

“I have not seen any such letters from Ukrainian officials,” said Zvarych said, commenting the claim that Kyiv allegedly sent an angry letter to Czech officials.  He called it an “attempt trying to discredit the initiative”.

“This should not have happened, as the initiative is excellent. It is truly effective and is helping our soldiers on the battlefield,” Zvarych added.

As of late August, 15 countries had joined the Czech initiative, which seeks to procure artillery ammunition for Ukraine outside of the EU. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala first proposed the initiative at the EU summit in February, when Ukraine was facing a severe shortage of weaponry. The Czech Republic acts as a mediator, connecting countries with suppliers of military equipment.