Ukraine is set to receive up to three million artillery shells from international partners in 2025, with 1.8 million coming through a Czech-led initiative, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during a press conference in Prague.
Speaking alongside Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelenskyy praised the effectiveness of the Czech artillery initiative, which has already delivered 400,000 shells as of April 2025. The program, launched in 2024, has attracted support from approximately 20 countries, including Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
The ammunition supply has helped Ukraine narrow the artillery disparity with Russia from a 10-to-1 disadvantage to 2-to-1. This improvement strengthens Ukraine's defensive capabilities against Russia's ongoing invasion, now in its 38th month.
The Czech Republic has emerged as a key coordinator of international military support for Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. In 2024, the Czech-led effort successfully delivered 1.5 million artillery shells to Ukrainian forces.
Beyond ammunition supplies, discussions are underway for additional military cooperation. Zelenskyy plans to meet with Czech defense companies to explore establishing a Ukrainian-Czech pilot training school for F-16 fighter jets, though security concerns prevent locating it within Ukraine.
Czech President Pavel emphasized that while Putin could end the war immediately, he has shown no willingness to do so. The European Union's Defense Commissioner indicated plans to double Ukraine's weapons supply through increased domestic production investments.
The initiative represents a coordinated international response to Ukraine's ammunition needs, demonstrating continued allied commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.