Journalist Butusov Exposes Stalled 50 Billion Hryvnia Artillery Shell Contract

Ukraine's Critical Artillery Shell Shortage

According to Главком: Yurii Butusov, a journalist and platoon commander in the unmanned systems unit of the Khartia Brigade, has highlighted a severe and ongoing shortage of artillery shells and guns for Ukrainian forces. He emphasized that the situation remains critical, with a particular deficit in 155mm caliber artillery systems, which are a NATO standard.

In 2024, the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant was awarded a state contract worth 50 billion hryvnias to establish production for various types of shells. However, Butusov pointed out that the plant lacked the necessary expertise, production lines, powders, components, and detonators in the required quantities. Consequently, the state did not receive the ammunition, and the funds allocated for this order have been effectively frozen for a year.

'We have a deficit of artillery shells, no matter what anyone says. We lack guns, especially 155mm ones. We had a disgraceful situation in 2024 when the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant received an order for 50 billion hryvnias to organize the production of many types of shells,' Yurii Butusov

The insufficient supply of artillery shells and guns poses a major threat to Ukraine's defensive capabilities, especially amid intense combat operations. Production failures at enterprises like the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant can have significant repercussions for military operations and the nation's strategic posture on the battlefield.

This case underscores the urgent need to resolve issues with industrial capacity and to ensure the army is supplied with critically needed resources.

'And they did not perform a miracle. As a result, the state poured enormous money into it and did not receive the ammunition it wanted. And the money has been stuck for a year.' Yurii Butusov