Delays in weapon supplies endanger lives and territories, says Ukraine's Defence Minister

-"The situation is highly volatile, and thus, aid being assigned does not guarantee its delivery. If what's pledged to us doesn't arrive in time, we lose lives and territories," said Umierow, speaking at the "Ukraine. 2024" forum in Kyiv.

Umierow underscored the importance of air superiority in any war, a historical truth. He emphasised that Ukraine is doing everything within and beyond its capacities to triumph. However, any delay in the arrival of weapon supplies imposes hindrances to front-line operations.

According to Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries, Olexandr Kamyszin, the country's defense industry managed to triple its weaponry production in 2023. Around 500 companies are engaged in weapons manufacturing in Ukraine, as remarked by the government representative.

- "We have approximately 100 state-owned corporations in addition to about 400 private firms active in the sector, Kamyszin said, adding that a significant boost in ammunition production is on the cards for 2024." His statement was reported by the Reuters agency and the RBK-Ukraine website.

Numerous reports in recent months, across Ukrainian and Western media, have iterated the immense needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, particularly pertaining to artillery ammunition.

Major Tanel Tatsi, the commander of the Estonian Army's artillery troops, pointed out the deficit of artillery and anti-aircraft shells urged the Ukrainian army to pull back from Avdiivka in the Donetsk region in mid-February.