The participating countries of the Czech initiative for purchasing artillery shells for Ukraine have signed an agreement, under which the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive 1 million rounds of ammunition. This exceeds the initially planned amount, reports Corriere della Sera.
It is noted that initially, it was planned to purchase 800 thousand shells: 500 thousand for the largest caliber of 155 mm and another 300 thousand for 122 mm. However, Czech officials found an additional 200 thousand rounds.
According to the source, it is unknown which specific companies were approached for additional ammunition, although rumors point to South Korea, Turkiye, and possibly South Africa.
Furthermore, Ukraine may receive the first batches of ammunition not in June, as previously publicly stated by the Czech government, but as early as April.
It is worth noting that a total of 15 countries participated in the Czech initiative, as claimed in the material, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, and Canada. However, not all of them publicly announced the exact amount contributed to the purchase of shells.
Czech initiative
Last month, Czech President Petr Pavel announced that his country had found about 800 thousand rounds of ammunition that could be transferred to Ukraine outside the European Union. However, funding is needed for the deliveries.
A number of Western countries have already announced their participation in the Czech initiative. They have allocated funds for the purchase of shells.
Recently, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the first shipments of ammunition to our defenders are expected in April.
Yesterday, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said that Ukrainian military personnel could receive twice as many shells under the Czech initiative. It is possible to supply 1.5 million artillery rounds.
