11 December 2025, 18:47

Military expert: Ukrainian army could run short of ammunition soon

Photo courtesy of the United States Armed Forces

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MINSK, 11 December (BelTA) – The Ukrainian army may face an ammunition shortage as early as next year, largely due to Washington halting direct weapons supplies to Kiev, military and political observer Mikhail Onufriyenko said in a new episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.

“When it comes to armaments in the Ukrainian army, the USA has stopped supplying weapons directly to Kiev. Supplies peaked in the final year of Biden’s term. Trump executed the contracts, but there will be no more direct weapons supplies. Now all deliveries are routed through Europe, incurring a 10% markup,” Mikhail Onufriyenko said.

The military expert drew attention to official statements by European officials. According to them, weapons worth €50 billion were supplied to Kiev in 2024. This year, the European Union aims for the same figures. “They reached about €35-40 billion two months ago. There is a chance they will indeed reach €50 billion by the end of the year. But this €50 billion will include a 10% markup. Also, you can add another 10%, with ammunition prices rising,” he believes.

Since Washington refused to provide direct supplies, the amount of weaponry in the Ukrainian Armed Forces may decrease, Mikhail Onufriyenko emphasized: “The Europeans are failing to meet their own commitment to supply 1 million shells.”

Thus, the military expert believes that the Ukrainian army could run critically short of ammunition as early as next year. “At the same time, those same European experts, and even Syrsky himself [Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Aleksandr Syrsky], acknowledge that ammunition production in Russia is growing much faster. Syrsky recently stated that Russia deploys 4,000-5,000 kamikaze drones and 1,500-2,000 quadcopter drones for dropping munitions at the front daily. If Syrsky himself is talking about this, it means that here the Russian Armed Forces hold a key advantage too,” Mikhail Onufriyenko concluded.