RUSSIA RAMPS UP WEAPONS PRODUCTION AS US PAUSES SOME UKRAINE ARMS SHIPMENTS

Wed 02 July 2025:

Russia has significantly increased production volumes across all types of weapons, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the parliament in Moscow, Alikhanov said the military industry continues to increase its capacity to meet all domestic needs and foreign orders.

“Collectively, we have significantly increased production volumes across all types of weaponry. At meetings with the president regarding the state armament program project, the industry confirmed its readiness to fully implement all announced plans,” he said.

As of 2025, Russia ranks third globally in terms of arms exports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The leading positions are held by the US and France.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

US halts some weapons shipments to Ukraine

The United States says it is halting some weapons deliveries to Kyiv that were promised under the Biden administration, as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine.

The Biden-era pledges, which included various munitions to bolster Ukraine’s defences, are now under review as the Pentagon reassesses current inventory levels. The move could signal a shift in priorities under President Donald Trump, who has pressed for a more restrained global military posture.

“This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe,” said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly in a statement on Tuesday.

The internal assessment by the Pentagon found some stockpiles “too low” to justify immediate transfer to Ukraine, said a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity, according to Politico, which first reported the halt of military aid.

Russia intensifies assault

The delay comes at a precarious moment for Ukraine, as Russia intensifies its aerial bombardment in one of the heaviest phases of the war. Hopes for a ceasefire – long championed by Trump – have faded further, with talks between Kyiv and Moscow stalled.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the US has provided more than $66bn in weapons and security assistance to Ukraine.

Throughout the war, Washington has also urged its allies to supply air defence systems, particularly Patriot missile batteries. However, many NATO members remain reluctant to give up the systems, particularly countries in Eastern Europe that are wary of Russia.

Trump, who met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during last week’s NATO summit, acknowledged Ukraine’s request for more Patriots.

“They do want to have the antimissile missiles, OK, as they call them – the Patriots,” Trump said. “We’re going to see if we can make some available. We need them, too. We’re supplying them to Israel, and they’re very effective. Hard to believe how effective.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22