Ukraine has received 400,000 large calibre shells under the Czech-led ammunition initiative, Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová has confirmed. Speaking on Czech Television, Černochová said that Prague had allocated 1 billion Czech crowns (€45 million or approximately £38.5 million) from its budget to fund the critical supply programme. She added that due to military intelligence involvement, further operational details could not be disclosed.
The Czech initiative is now financially secure to continue supporting Ukraine’s ammunition needs through the autumn. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský had earlier announced at a NATO summit in Brussels that funding had been secured to supply Ukraine with shells monthly until at least September 2025.
The programme is backed by several international partners, including Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Their contributions have ensured the continuation of essential deliveries to help Ukraine defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression.
Throughout 2024, the Czech-led initiative successfully supplied Ukraine with around 1.5 million rounds of artillery ammunition, mainly focusing on calibres larger than 100 mm. Deliveries have included large volumes of 155 mm and 152 mm shells, amounting to approximately 500,000 shells.
At the end of March 2025, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that the initiative is expected to deliver at least as many shells in 2025 as it did the previous year. This announcement was made after a Paris summit where President Volodymyr Zelensky and other allied leaders discussed further support for Ukraine’s defence efforts.
Earlier in February 2024, Czech President Petr Pavel revealed that Prague had identified about 800,000 shells available for purchase on third country markets, including roughly 500,000 rounds of 155 mm calibre and 300,000 rounds of 122 mm calibre. Czech officials have since found additional stockpiles but have refrained from revealing more details due to security concerns.
The Czech-led initiative has become a vital lifeline for Ukraine’s military forces as they continue to resist the illegal Russian invasion.
