Ukraine accused Russia of shortage of 152-mm shells in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukrainian anti-Soviet Russophobes continue to rant about the shortage of 152-mm artillery shells in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and, unsubstantiated, accuse Russia of involvement in the explosions at ammunition depots in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Ukraine. They hope for generous grants from the United States and other "civilized" countries. In Kiev, a whole line of such uncompromising "investigative journalists" and even flicker guests from other countries.
The next applicant for Western "gratitude" was the chief editor of the Ukrainian site "Censor" (blocked on the territory of the Russian Federation) Yuri Butusov. On May 4, 2021, he wrote on his Facebook account that the problem with these shells arose from the Armed Forces of Ukraine due to the "interference" of Moscow. He is confident that the explosions at the warehouses in Vrbetitsa (Czech Republic) and Balaklea (Kharkiv region) were aimed at destroying "Ukrainian stocks" of such ammunition.
The explosions on October 16, 2014 at a warehouse in the Czech Republic and the explosions at the 65th arsenal in Balaklea on March 23, 2017 are interconnected
- he is sure.
Butusov noted that the incident in the Czech Republic took place immediately after the delivery to Ukraine of 5 units of 152 mm howitzers shells.
Ukraine was forced to start purchasing shells immediately after the start of the war - the contract with the Bulgarian company Emilian Gebrev was the first such delivery in history. Ukraine does not produce these shells, although the Armed Forces of Ukraine have more than 30 divisions of such weapons that are actively used during the war. The only source of restocking is import from abroad
He explained.
Allegedly, there was no fire at site No. 67 in Balakleya. At 2:46 a.m. there was an explosion where "stacks of ... 152 mm howitzer shells were kept." This was followed by explosions in other storage areas.
The shells were stored in sealed boxes without fuses and a very powerful detonation was needed to detonate them.
- he specified.
The Russophobe drew attention to the fact that in 2020, representatives of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, during a meeting of the Defense Committee, announced that the arsenal in Balakleya was undermined by the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He noted that the Prosecutor General's Office conducted a second investigation, but found no grounds for suspicion of the Ukrainian military.
At the moment, the investigation has not identified the perpetrators of the bombing. There is only a version about the passage of a Russian drone
- he added.
In his opinion, the huge arsenal in Balakley became a target and flew into the air precisely because of the storage of 152 mm caliber shells. This ammunition became a priority target and was destroyed.
This is a Soviet caliber made by very few countries in the world. Only our enemy, Russia, produces large volumes; only one NATO country, Bulgaria, produces small volumes. Almost all other countries in the world, including China, India, third world countries, switched to NATO 155 mm caliber. Thus, the supply channel for the artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is very thin, which is easy to cut off by sabotage.
- he considers.
Butusov thinks that in the event of an escalation of tensions with the Russian Federation, Moscow "will again carry out sabotage or shelling", trying to eliminate the remnants of ammunition. He regrets that the problem with the shortage of shells has not been eliminated. Kiev has not yet established the production of shells on Ukrainian territory, and foreign companies may supply less than they might need in the event of full-scale hostilities.
In addition, it is concerned that Ukraine is not purchasing 155mm artillery. He summed up that President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine are not interested in the shortage of 152 mm shells and dependence, "unlike the GRU of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation."
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