Ministry of Defense: The ratio of artillery shots between Russia and Ukraine has fallen to a record low

23 October, 2024 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer fire. July 2023. Photo credits: 57th Motorized Brigade

Currently, the ratio of artillery shots between Ukraine and the Russian invasion army at the front is approximately 1 to 2. Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, First Deputy Minister of Defense, reported this in a blitz interview with RBC-Ukraine. He also explained what factors he believes this is due to.

The Lieutenant General noted that at the beginning of this year, the ratio of artillery shots fired by Ukrainian and occupation forces was 1 to 7, 1 to 8, and even more in some months. As of early summer, the ratio was 1 to 3. As of the fall of 2024, this ratio is approximately 1 to 2.

Soldiers of the 406th Artillery Brigade fire with an M777 howitzer.

Photo credits: 406th Artillery Brigade

According to the Deputy Minister, the Ukrainian Defense Forces' successful targeting of the Russian army's ammunition depots played a role in this. "Russians have virtually no restrictions on the use of artillery ammunition. They spent a huge amount of shells, tanks, and soldiers.

However, it is not only the quantitative ratio of ammunition, particularly artillery shells, that plays an important role," Havryliuk noted. He also believes that the result is greatly influenced by the personnel's training, their combat experience, and the tactical and technical characteristics of artillery systems. "Western systems are more accurate and long-range.

As a result, we destroy targets using fewer shells," the Lieutenant General stated.

155mm artillery ammunition. Photo credits: Radio Svoboda

According to him, today, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are supplied with ammunition and all means of destruction from three sources. This includes domestic production of weapons and ammunition, as well as imports of the range of items that are not produced in Ukraine or are produced in insufficient quantities.

It also includes receiving military aid, including artillery shells, from partner countries.

In July, Ukroboronprom announced that it had completed testing of 155-mm artillery ammunition.

In September, Presidential Advisor on Strategic Issues Oleksandr Kamyshin said that Ukraine had started producing its own 155-mm artillery shells.