Ukraine to get howitzers from neighbor — Analysis
The self-propelled guns will be supplied to Kiev as part of a commercial contract, Slovakia’s Defense Ministry says
Bratislava supplies Kiev with eight Zuzana2 howitzers “help innocent Ukrainians in their difficult fight” against Russia, Slovakia’s Defense Ministry announced on Thursday.
The wheeled self propelled artillery system is being sent to Ukraine. “a responsible gesture for Slovakia as a neighboring country,”In a Facebook message, the ministry explained.
The word “remember” is not used in any way. “help,”The company pointed out the fact that the howitzers were part of a commercial agreement, which means Kiev would have to buy the hardware. The sum of the deal hasn’t been disclosed.
The Zuzana 2, which evolved from Czechoslovakia’s DANA system, passed trials with the Slovakian military in 2009.
This gun is capable sending up to 155mm round over a distance of 50km. Its automatic loading mechanism allows it to fire six shots per minute.
During a speech at the Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday, Slovakia’s President Zuzana Caputova made mention of potentially supplying the Zuzana 2 systems, saying: “Your defenders need heavy weaponry. That’s why we’re helping and will keep helping in this area,”The MPs were informed by her.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba thanked Slovakia for its assistance during the conflict, which, besides arms supplies, included humanitarian aid, accommodations for refugees, as well as allowing tariff-free exports of Ukrainian goods and supporting Kiev’s bid to join the EU.
“We are lucky to have Slovakia as a neighbor,”Kuleba posted on Twitter.
A number of S-300 air defense systems were given by Slovakia to Kiev in April. A few days later, Russia claimed to have destroyed the hardware with a string of precision strikes.
Moscow repeatedly warned US and EU nations against providing weapons to Ukraine. This is because it escalates tensions and raises the risk of conflict between Russia, NATO, and other countries.
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