Ukraine Boosts Arms Production Amid Ongoing Russian Conflict

Kyiv, July 17 (AP) - A newly formed Ukrainian government has committed to bolstering its domestic arms production, aiming to meet half of the nation's weapon demands within six months, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This move is in response to the prolonged Russian invasion.

Concurrently, Switzerland announced that the US Defense Department has informed them of a reassignment of Patriot air defense systems initially ordered by Switzerland to Ukraine. These systems are crucial for Ukraine's defense against increasing Russian aerial assaults.

The order from Switzerland, placed in 2022, included five Patriot systems with delivery scheduled for 2027-2028. However, the Swiss government stated on Wednesday that the US has delayed their delivery in light of the Ukrainian situation, leaving the number of affected systems undisclosed.

Currently, Ukrainian military relies on domestically produced defense equipment for almost 40% of their arsenal, noted Zelenskyy. As uncertainties grow concerning the timeline and volume of Western weapon shipments, Ukraine is prioritizing enhancing its production capacity and expanding its offensive reach.

“We need to propel the conflict back onto Russian territory, reversing the invasion,” Zelenskyy emphasized in his Wednesday evening address.

The pressure to adequately arm Ukraine is mounting as Russia intensifies its summer offensive, launching numerous drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.

While US-made weapons, especially the critical Patriot missile systems, are awaited by Ukraine, the timeline remains uncertain. Despite an agreement by President Donald Trump to facilitate these weapons, funding will come from European nations.

NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, mentioned on Thursday that preparations for transferring these weapons are underway, with efforts being coordinated closely with Germany. He noted that the details regarding the amount of equipment being shipped remain classified.

“We’re in the preparation phase for deploying the initial capabilities, particularly the Patriots," he stated.

A NATO expert panel will soon finalize their detailed plans, maintaining a balance between speed and caution, according to German Defence Ministry spokesperson Mitko Muller on Wednesday.

NATO head Mark Rutte, addressing in Washington earlier this week, highlighted that the military support is being organized with contributions from European and Canadian allies, naming Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada as supporters.

In addition, Ukraine has developed its own long-range drones used to launch attacks deep inside Russian territory.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported Thursday the downing of 122 Ukrainian drones overnight, which briefly disrupted flights in Moscow and St. Petersburg; most drones targeted regions near the border, including Bryansk and Kursk.

Meanwhile, Russian forces conducted an attack with 64 Shahed and decoy drones, resulting in at least one death, targeting primarily the industrial Dnipropetrovsk region, according to the Ukrainian air force.

In other news: Russia returned the bodies of 1,000 individuals to Ukraine Thursday, including fallen soldiers, as confirmed by the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Concurrently, 19 Russian soldiers' bodies were returned to Russia, stated presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. The exchange follows agreements from previous peace talks held in May and June, which were otherwise unproductive. (AP)

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