Russia ramps up artillery production but still falling short, Western
official says
Send a link to a friend
[September 09, 2023] WASHINGTON
(Reuters) - Russia may be able to increase production of artillery in
the next couple years to about 2 million shells annually, about double
some previous Western expectations but still far short of Moscow's
Ukraine war needs, a Western official said on Friday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, estimated Russia
fired between 10 million and 11 million rounds last year in Ukraine.
Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.
"That's the predicament they've got," the official told a small group of
reporters.
"If you expended 10 million rounds last year and you're in the middle of
a fight and you can only produce 1 to 2 million rounds a year, I don't
think that's a very strong position."
Other Russia investments in its defense sector may also allow Moscow to
produce close to 200 tanks a year, double some previous Western
estimates, the official said. But that too, the official said, was a far
cry from what it needs after suffering heavy losses in Ukraine.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Sep/09/images/ads/current/hartsburggrain_sda_FAIR_2023.png)
"When you've lost 2,000 tanks, you've got a decade before you get to
where you started," the official said, adding Russia had also lost 4,000
armored fighting vehicles, over 100 aircraft and suffered 270,000
casualties in the conflict, including both forces killed and wounded.
Russia's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request
for comment.
In May, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said weapons production
and the supply of arms to the front line in Ukraine would be crucial to
the success of what Moscow calls its "special military operation."
In July, Shoigu visited North Korea. The White House has said Russia is
currently looking to North Korea to help replenish its stocks of
weapons, adding that arms negotiations between Moscow and Pyongyang are
actively advancing.
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/090923PIX/news_z22.jpg)
A woman takes a picture as she attends an exhibition displaying
destroyed Russian military vehicles located on the main street
Khreshchatyk as part of the upcoming celebration of the Independence
Day of Ukraine, amid Russia's invasion, in central Kyiv, Ukraine
August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/Jul/22/images/ads/current/rohlfs_lda_072017.png)
The Western official said those negotiations were likely aimed at
securing artillery and demonstrated Moscow's desperation in Ukraine.
"It has to go to these dubious partners in order to prop up its
catastrophic invasion of Ukraine. And it will it cost a fortune
because North Korea will squeeze out a good deal," the official
said.
The official said the Russian economy itself was under strain as
Moscow redirects resources to Ukraine, hiking defense spending and
reducing "spending on everything else."
"That then triggers the risk of social unrest against a fragile
political backdrop," the official said.
The remarks about the strains in Russia came as several U.S.
Republican presidential hopefuls have questioned American aid to
Ukraine, fuelling concerns over whether Washington will maintain its
support once the 2024 election campaign intensifies.
The U.S. government has provided more than $43 billion in weaponry
and other military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began
last year.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Sep/09/images/ads/current/graue_sda_042021.png) |