Minister Smetanin speaks out on defective mortar shells: 24,000 rounds recalled
Source: Herman Smetanin/Telegram
Ukraine’s strategic industries minister Herman Smetanin admitted that Ukrainian officials had to recall 24,000 mortar shells after complaints from the military they were faulty and misfiring. The shells that drew ire were part of just one batch of 54,000 shells, which, according to Smetannin, in total amounts to less than 1% of all ammunition produced in 2024.
A probe launched earlier this November found some “issues” in the shells components. On November 20, the Logistics Command red-flagged the quality of some 120-mm mortar rounds that came from an undisclosed Ukrainian ammunition producer. Smetanin assured his ministry promptly responded the situation, ordering additionalquality checks by its directive of November 8.
The minister praised Ukraine’s defense industry that has delivered millions of artillery and mortar shells to the Armed Forces since the start of 2024. Production is rapidly scaling up, bolstered by the integration of advanced technologies, which will help provide frontline troops with the high-quality munitions.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).
In just 1.5 months, Ukrainian specialists have created an innovative protective shell for the control modules of anti-aircraft missile systems (AMS) Patriot and Iris-T SLM. This development was another step in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, aimed at protecting key elements of the air defense system from debris damage.
Military serviceman of the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine with the call sign “Paradox” is the crew commander of the American M113 armored personnel carrier. He is a master at using it and is constantly improving, because the legionnaire’s skills are tested every day in battle. You have to drive to the front lines, often under artillery fire and drone attacks.
Notorious supporter of the concept “in order for a cow to eat less and give more milk, it needs to be fed less and milked more” “Servant of the People” Danylo Hetmantsev, under the guise of “business requirements”, registered a draft law on the collection of VAT on all foreign purchases, regardless of their value. In other words, every Ukrainian, buying goods of any value and purpose abroad, when sending them to Ukraine, will have to pay an additional fifth part, or 20% of the cost of the goods.
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