Sheffield Forgemasters has delivered four forged artillery barrels to Ukraine, marking the first time in nearly two decades that such barrels have been produced in the UK. The shipment is part of a £61 million contract announced last year, which aims to supply a total of 150 barrels to Ukraine's military. The barrels, produced in collaboration with BAE Systems' nearby artillery factory that opened in Sheffield last year, include 105mm and 155mm calibers for Ukrainian artillery systems.
Production and Impact
Sheffield Forgemasters is currently manufacturing eight barrels per month. The first four barrels shipped are expected to help Ukraine test its own manufacturing capabilities, as artillery barrels wear out on the battlefield and require regular replacement. The production of British-made artillery barrels comes as the UK and its European allies seek to bolster domestic weapons manufacturing. Forgemasters was nationalized in 2021, with the Ministry of Defence stating the purchase was necessary to secure critical British defence programs.
Political Developments in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that Sergiy Koretsky, CEO of state energy firm Naftogaz, is the best candidate to become Ukraine's next prime minister in a government reshuffle. Zelenskyy cited Koretsky's effective leadership in the energy sector, which is under severe strain due to Russian attacks on Ukraine's electricity grid and gas supplies. Parliament is expected to vote on the succession on Thursday.
Zelenskyy's decision to sack Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked controversy. Fedorov's six-month tenure saw a significant improvement in Ukraine's battlefield position, and his removal has angered supporters amid rumors of a feud with Ukraine's top military commander, Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Recent Attacks and Nuclear Concerns
Kyiv came under ballistic missile attack early Thursday, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko reporting that a warehouse was hit and missile debris fell on non-residential buildings. Kharkiv was also hit by drones. Zelenskyy expects Ukraine to acquire the technology to produce missiles for US Patriot defence systems by the end of this year.
Russia accused Ukrainian forces of killing the chief engineer of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Aleksandr Yakovlev, along with a driver, in a drone strike near the plant. Rosatom, the Russian nuclear conglomerate that seized control of the plant after the invasion, claimed responsibility for the allegations. Ukraine has not commented.
Regional Attacks and Energy Crisis
Russian forces killed three people and injured 15 in an attack on Zaporizhzhia city on Wednesday, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Ukraine's military struck a power plant in Sevastopol, which accounts for nearly 50% of electricity generation in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukraine's campaign against Russian oil refineries has forced Moscow to seek gasoline from Indian refiners, as Russia faces its worst fuel crisis. Top Russian energy companies have approached Indian refiners for gasoline, with at least one cargo of Indian gasoline reportedly shipped to Russia. Indian oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that Indian companies are not directly selling fuel to Russia, but it is possible they bought Indian-origin fuel from traders. Nearly 40% of Russia's refining capacity is unlikely to return for at least two months without further attacks.
Black Sea and Shipping
Russia and Ukraine intensified their battle over the Black Sea on Wednesday. Odesa region governor Oleh Kiper reported a fifth day of massive Russian drone and missile attacks on civilian, industrial, and port infrastructure. Three people were killed in a missile strike on a residential building in Odesa. Ukraine's drone forces commander said Ukrainian drones hit 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea, forcing Russia to restrict shipping in the Sea of Azov.
A Russian attack in Ukraine's northern Sumy region killed at least three people and wounded seven, with six strikes using guided aerial bombs, according to regional governor Oleh Hryhorov.
