Zelenskyy tours U.S. ammunition factory/ Ukraine leader visits Scranton plant/ Zelenskyy thanks U.S. workers for artillery/ Newslooks/ SCRANTON/ Pa/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a Pennsylvania ammunition plant on Sunday, thanking workers for producing artillery shells vital to Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for continued support ahead of his U.N. and Washington meetings this week. The U.S. plant has increased production to meet Ukraine’s demands for 155 mm artillery shells.
Zelenskyy’s Pennsylvania Visit: Quick Look
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant to thank workers for producing 155 mm artillery shells.
- He emphasized the need for more support as Ukraine continues its fight against Russian forces.
- Zelenskyy will attend the U.N. General Assembly and meet with U.S. leaders in Washington to strengthen ties and secure further aid.
- The Scranton plant plays a key role in supplying Ukraine with millions of shells, critical for long-range strikes.
- Zelenskyy’s visit highlights ongoing U.S. involvement, with over $56 billion in aid provided so far.
Zelenskyy Visits PA Factory Producing Critical Ammunition for War
Deep Look
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a significant stop in the United States on Sunday, visiting the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania to personally thank the workers who are manufacturing the 155 mm artillery shells vital to Ukraine’s defense. Under tight security, Zelenskyy expressed his deep appreciation for the critical role the plant’s employees play in helping Ukraine resist Russian aggression.
Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, accompanied Zelenskyy during the visit and relayed the president’s straightforward message to the factory workers: “Thank you. And we need more.” The Scranton plant is one of the few facilities in the U.S. producing these specific shells, which have become indispensable to Ukraine’s war efforts. Over the past year, the plant has ramped up production, with Ukraine receiving more than 3 million shells from the U.S. alone.
Zelenskyy later posted on social media platform X, acknowledging the importance of the work being done in Scranton. “It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail,” he wrote. He thanked not only the American workers but also the collective efforts of people from Ukraine, the U.S., and allied nations, whose hard work ensures the defense of life and liberty.
Zelenskyy’s visit comes at a critical time as Ukraine’s war against Russia stretches into its third year. Following his tour of the plant, he is scheduled for a busy week in the U.S., including speaking engagements at the U.N. General Assembly in New York and meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington. Zelenskyy’s mission is clear: to bolster international support for Ukraine and secure additional aid for his country’s military efforts.
Security around the ammunition plant was tight, with local and state law enforcement securing the area and municipal garbage trucks positioned at roadblocks. Zelenskyy’s motorcade arrived at the plant in the afternoon, and despite the heightened security, a small crowd of supporters gathered nearby, waving Ukrainian flags to show their support. Among them was Vera Kowal Krewson, a first-generation Ukrainian American. She expressed her pride in the work being done at the plant, stating, “It’s unfortunate that we need a plant like this, but it’s here, and it’s here to protect the world.”
The Scranton facility is crucial for producing the 155 mm artillery shells, which are used in howitzer systems. These large, towed guns can fire projectiles at varying angles over long distances, making them essential for Ukrainian ground forces to strike enemy targets from a safe range. Howitzers can reach targets up to 20 miles away, providing a significant advantage on the battlefield.
As Ukraine’s needs grow, Zelenskyy has pushed the U.S. for permission to deploy longer-range missile systems capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. However, the Pentagon and the Biden administration have been hesitant, concerned about the potential consequences of escalating the conflict. While Ukraine already has the capacity to target Russia using drones, the use of U.S.-made missiles for strikes inside Russia could have significant diplomatic and strategic implications.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that such a move would be interpreted as an act of war by the United States and NATO, raising the stakes in an already tense global situation.
At the height of the conflict, Ukraine was reportedly firing between 6,000 and 8,000 artillery shells per day, a rate that has strained U.S. stockpiles. This raised concerns about whether the U.S. military could maintain its own defense capabilities should another large-scale conflict arise, such as a potential standoff with China over Taiwan. In response, the U.S. has significantly ramped up production of the 155 mm shells, with current manufacturing rates exceeding 40,000 rounds per month. The Pentagon aims to increase that figure to 100,000 rounds monthly to meet both U.S. and Ukrainian needs.
Two top Pentagon officials who have spearheaded the increased production effort—Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology, and Bill LaPlante, the Defense Department’s chief weapons buyer—were also present at the Scranton plant during Zelenskyy’s visit. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, joined the Ukrainian president to show state-level support for the international effort.
The 155 mm shells are just one of many types of munitions and weapons systems the U.S. has supplied to Ukraine. From small arms ammunition to advanced fighter jets, the U.S. has contributed more than $56 billion in military aid to Ukraine, part of a broader $106 billion commitment from NATO and allied countries. Zelenskyy’s visit underscores the critical importance of this ongoing support, especially as Ukraine is not a NATO member but relies heavily on Western assistance to keep Russian forces at bay.
The commitment to Ukraine’s defense is seen by many European nations as essential to preventing further Russian expansion, which could threaten bordering NATO-member countries. A broader conflict would have far-reaching consequences, making the current aid to Ukraine a key factor in maintaining regional stability.
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