Russian companies are producing artillery shells at a rate three times faster and four times cheaper than their counterparts in the United States and the European Union, according to an analysis by Bain & Company, as reported by Sky News.
Despite the combined economic might of Ukraine's Western allies far surpassing that of Russia, they lag significantly behind in the speed of shell production, the news outlet highlights. Bain & Company forecasts that Russia will produce approximately 4.5 million artillery shells in 2024, compared to a combined total of 1.3 million shells by the EU and the U.S. Furthermore, the unit cost of Russia's 152mm ammunition is reported to be four times less than that of Western-made shells.
Ukrainian military personnel have expressed concerns over this disparity. According to Sky News, Ukrainian forces face a significant disadvantage, with Russian troops able to respond with five shells for every single shell fired by Ukraine. In an interview with Sky News, a Ukrainian soldier mentioned that under these conditions, they have adapted to using fewer shells to achieve their targets.
However, a Ukrainian commander fighting in the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces are currently on the offensive, emphasized the critical need for continued ammunition supplies from Western allies. "We need to keep holding them back and ensure that every meter of land they try to take costs them hundreds of lives," the commander told Sky News.
This stark contrast in production capabilities underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine and its Western allies as they seek to counter Russian advances and maintain defensive operations in the region.
