Ukraine Defense Minister claims delayed weapon supplies from West impact warfare as the country triples its own arsenal

"The situation is dynamic and constantly changing. Currently, the allocation of aid doesn't necessarily mean it is delivered. If the aid allocated to us doesn't arrive, we lose people and territories," Umerov said during the "Ukraine. 2024" forum in Kyiv.

The Minister stressed that no war in history has prevailed without air superiority. Umerov reaffirmed that Ukraine is making every possible and impossible effort to triumph. However, without timely delivery of weapons, the operations at the frontline are being impeded.

Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Sectors of Industry, Oleksandr Kamyshin, reported that the country's defense industry doubled its weapons production in 2023. The government representative stated that approximately 500 businesses in Ukraine produce weapons.

"We are referring to about 100 state-owned enterprises and around 400 private companies. In 2024, we aim to increase our ammunition production significantly," Kamyshin stated. The Minister's comments were made during the "Ukraine. 2024" forum and were quoted by both the Reuters agency and the RBK-Ukraine portal.

In recent months, several reports have surfaced in both Ukrainian and Western media, highlighting the significant needs of the Ukrainian armed forces, particularly regarding artillery ammunition.

Major Tanel Tatsi, the commander of Estonia's artillery forces, recently noted that the shortages in artillery and anti-aircraft shells forced the Ukrainian army to retreat from Avdiivka in the Donetsk region in mid-February.