US supplies of ammunition to Ukraine decreased by 30% due to the war in Gaza
Part of the US stockpile intended for Ukrainian forces was redirected to Israel
The supply of American weapons to Ukraine is under additional pressure due to the war in the Middle East.
On the eve of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin's visit to Kyiv, a Ukrainian official told ABC News that US shipments of NATO-standard artillery shells to Ukraine have fallen by "more than 30%" since the start of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza last month.
In particular, it is 155-mm artillery shells, which are the most important ammunition for Ukraine in its fight against Russian troops. Part of the U.S. stockpile, which was intended for Ukrainian forces, was redirected to Israel.
U.S. officials have stated several times in recent weeks that the supply of ammunition to Israel will not have any impact on the war in Ukraine.
"They (U.S. officials) told us that it would not affect the supply to Ukraine, but it did," the Ukrainian official said.
He clarified that the supply of these vital artillery shells makes up "about 60-70% of the total supply to Ukraine."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously spoken about problems with 155 mm artillery shells.
"Now the warehouses are empty. There is a legal minimum that a particular state cannot provide us with," the Ukrainian president emphasized.
Each country "fights for the stockpiles on its own," Zelensky said. "I am not saying that this is positive, but this is life, and we must protect what belongs to us," he explained.
Zelenskiy also noted that stockpiles are now empty around the world and welcomed US efforts to increase production of this type of ammunition.
The day before, on November 20, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv for an unannounced visit. "I am here today to deliver an important message: The United States will continue to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom against Russian aggression, now and in the future," Austin said.
He announced the transfer of another $100 million military aid package to Kyiv to meet critical security and defense needs. In particular, the package includes more than 3 million rounds of ammunition for small arms and artillery shells of 155 and 105 mm caliber, the number of which is not specified.
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