KYIV, July 17: Ukraine’s new government has approved a plan to expand domestic arms production to supply 50% of its weapons within six months, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Currently, Ukrainian-made weapons account for nearly 40% of the military’s arsenal. This move aims to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to push back Russia’s invasion and carry out strikes inside Russian territory.
Meanwhile, the US informed Switzerland it is delaying delivery of Patriot missile systems ordered by Switzerland in 2022, redirecting them to Ukraine to bolster its air defenses. Switzerland’s deliveries were scheduled between 2027 and 2028, but the number of affected systems is unclear.
NATO and US officials are preparing to transfer Patriot systems to Ukraine, with Germany playing a key role. NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, said preparations for the first shipments are underway, though details remain classified. NATO is coordinating support with European allies and Canada.
Ukraine continues to use its own long-range drones for attacks deep inside Russia. Russia claimed it shot down 122 Ukrainian drones recently and launched a drone attack killing at least one person in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Separately, Russia returned 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Ukraine, while receiving 19 of its own, as part of a prisoner and body exchange agreement. (AP)
