February 25, 2024
Ukrainian defense minister: 50% of Western military aid arrives late
Half of Western military aid to Kyiv is delivered late, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Sunday.
“At the moment, commitment does not constitute delivery,” Umerov said during a forum dedicated to the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
“Fifty percent of commitments are not delivered on time,” he added, saying this helped Russia.
Ukraine, which is struggling with an ammunition shortage, has for months said that Western aid is slow to reach the country.
The issue is likely to worsen due to the blocking of further American aid to Kyiv by the US Congress.
Umerov said that delayed aid will mean Kyiv will “lose people, lose territories,” especially given Russia’s “air superiority.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine tripled its weapons production last year and 500 companies are now working in the domestic defense sector, Ukraine’s strategic industries minister said.
Oleksandr Kamyshin said during a televised address in Kyiv that the figure included 100 state and 400 private companies and that Ukraine this year plans “to considerably increase ammunition production.”
Another minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said 90% of the drones used on the battlefield against Russian forces were produced in Ukraine.
