France will supply Ukraine with up to 50 bombs per month - Defense Minister

In an interview with France Inter radio, the minister announced that starting from January 2024, France will be providing Ukraine with approximately 50 air bombs monthly, and the deliveries will continue at least until the end of the year.

Lecornu also disclosed an increase in the supply of artillery ammunition to 3000 shells per month.

"From February 2022 to the end of 2023, France supplied Ukraine with 2000 shells per month, and from January - 3000 shells per month," he said.

He denied claims that the Russians have seized the initiative on the front lines, adding that Moscow will not win the war against Ukraine. The minister emphasized that the successes of the Russian army are limited to "two kilometers, bitten off here and taken back."

"The counteroffensive did not work as we wanted, but it does not give an advantage to Putin," said the French Minister of Defense.

Artillery coalition

In December 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced the launch of an artillery coalition to strengthen the Ukrainian army. The coalition is set to commence operations in January, with the launch scheduled in Paris today, January 18.

It is known that Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov canceled his visit to France for security reasons. However, he will participate in the coalition launch online.

Previously, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu informed that Paris would manufacture 78 self-propelled artillery units CEASAR for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron also announced that Ukraine would receive 40 long-range SCALP missiles from Paris.