Ukraine used 3 million shells in 2023, half 155mm - Ukrainian colonel
Photo: Ukrainian military (Getty Images)
In 2023, Ukrainian forces on the frontlines used 3 million shells, half of which were 155mm caliber, said Colonel Serhiy Musiienko, Deputy Commander of the Missile Forces and Artillery of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to him, the calculated need for artillery shells for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is based on the situation at the front and planned objectives.
"This is a significant amount – we have never been supplied with this much. We receive half as many artillery shells due to various factors. As a result, we see the current situation in certain parts of the frontline due to a shortage of certain types of artillery shells," Musiienko noted.
He explained that the Soviet-caliber 152mm is currently being replaced.
"However, first of all, there is still production of these shells in the world. And there are quite modern artillery systems currently in use by our forces that operate with this caliber, and there are supplies of 152mm shells. These include Czech-made DANA-M2 self-propelled howitzers and the Soviet Msta-B howitzers," added the Ukrainian colonel.
He mentioned that at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian forces used 152mm and 122mm guns on the frontlines. Starting from mid-2022, Ukraine began receiving 155mm and 105mm howitzers from partners.
"For example, the 155mm M777A2 howitzers were first used by us in the Izium direction (this was the 67th Separate gun battalion of the 406th Separate Artillery Brigade). Later, during counteroffensive actions in the Kharkiv direction, several units were armed with 155mm guns," Musiienko explained.
He added that in 2022, the Defense Forces used about 1.5 million artillery shells – from 120mm mines to rockets for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). Half of them were 152mm and 122mm shells. A third was 155mm rounds.
"In 2023, we spent over 3 million shells. Of these, 1.6-1.7 million were 155mm shells. So, half of the shells we used were 155mm," the colonel said.
He further noted that the ratio of 152mm to 155mm shells for 2024 is expected to be 1 to 10, respectively.
"At the same time, along with NATO-caliber shells, there are also 105mm guns, which have proven to be very effective. In the future, the 155mm caliber will replace the 152mm guns, but for now, we cannot do this quickly," Musiienko concluded.
He clarified that the Ukrainian forces are currently using the most 155mm shells.
"Next, we use 122mm shells, followed by 105mm, and much further behind are 152mm shells," added the colonel.
Shells for Ukraine
At the beginning of 2024, Ukraine faced significant shortages of shells. The main reason for this was the suspension of aid from the US, as Congress could not allocate funding.
However, the situation with artillery later improved. As sources told RBC-Ukraine in June, the gap in shelling between Ukraine and Russia decreased from 1:7 to 1:3.
