WP: Ukraine is Increasing Its Artillery Capabilities.

Ukraine has significantly increased the production of its 'Bohdana' howitzers - from 6 units per month in 2023 to over 20 in 2025. This has been made possible through partnerships with European allies who are directly investing in the production of Ukrainian weapons.As reported by The Washington Post in its exclusive coverage, on April 8, Europe announced the allocation of 1 billion euros from profits from frozen Russian assets specifically for the production of Ukrainian howitzers. This is the largest amount ever designated specifically for Ukrainian artillery and is part of over 20 billion euros that Europe plans to allocate to the Ukrainian defense sector over the next year.

'Firstly, it's cheaper. Secondly, it's faster. Thirdly, you cut transportation and logistics costs. Fourthly, it helps the economy grow,' explained Katarina Maternova, the EU ambassador to Ukraine, the advantages of this approach.

Journalists from the Washington Post were granted a rare opportunity to observe the testing of the self-propelled and towed 'Bohdana' howitzers at a testing ground in western Ukraine. According to the authors of the report, the operation was so secretive that the publication agreed not to disclose the exact location of the training facility.The 'Bohdana' artillery system, whose name in Ukrainian means 'given by God', has an impressive range of fire of 40 kilometers and is the first Ukrainian howitzer of NATO caliber (155 mm). According to Arsen Zhumadilov, director of the Ministry of Defense's Defense Procurement Agency, over 85% of the parts required for the production of 'Bohdana' are manufactured in Ukraine, and it is expected that by the end of the year this figure will rise to 95%.

'Now, self-propelled howitzers are being produced in Ukraine in quantities that are unmatched in Europe,' noted Zhumadilov in a comment to the American publication. He emphasized the importance of this process: 'There is a direct and close link between our ability to fight and the security of Europe. If Ukraine falls, Europe will not be able to withstand the Russians as well as we do.'

According to The Washington Post, the executive body of the European Union, the European Commission, is trying to unlock hundreds of billions of euros for increasing the continent's defense in the coming years through loans and easing budget rules. Part of the plan is a 150 billion euro credit program to accelerate joint procurement and the development of weaponry by the bloc, which is mostly focused on systems produced in the EU, Norway, or Ukraine.

'We are strengthening Ukraine in various ways. One way is to support them in developing their own capabilities,' said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a press conference at NATO headquarters on April 11. 'The support we are providing to Ukraine is not a one-way street; it's a situation where both sides benefit. We will also gain from the lessons we learn.'

European countries are also showing interest in practical experience by sending unarmed soldiers to training camps in western Ukraine for combat training - which, according to the Washington Post, is indicative of deepening concerns across the continent about the future. In a television interview this week, the commander of the Danish army stated that he plans to send more soldiers this summer for training in Ukraine.According to former German defense official Nico Lange, Ukraine is outpacing everyone else and is using Western systems more effectively than Western countries are capable of using them.Vitaliy Zahudaev, the CEO of KZTS, which produces 'Bohdana', summarized Ukraine's philosophy: 'If you want to live in peace, you must be prepared for war.'