Indian-Made Artillery Shells Reach Ukraine Despite Russian Protests

Indian-manufactured artillery shells have been diverted to Ukraine by European buyers, a move that has raised concerns in Moscow but has not prompted intervention from New Delhi, according to sources and customs data reviewed by Reuters. The munitions have reportedly been used to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia, despite Indian export regulations limiting arms transfers to their declared end users.

According to 11 government and defense industry officials from India and Europe, the transfer of munitions has been ongoing for over a year. India has not responded to Russian protests over the matter, with Moscow raising the issue during multiple diplomatic meetings, including a July discussion between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Despite Russia’s concerns, India has not taken steps to halt the flow of munitions to Europe. A senior Indian official said that New Delhi is monitoring the situation but has not yet acted to curb the supply. Defense industry sources indicate that while Indian ammunition constitutes only a small fraction of Ukraine’s overall arms imports, the transfers are noteworthy given India’s traditionally strong ties with Moscow.

European nations, including Italy and the Czech Republic, have been identified as intermediaries in the supply of Indian-made munitions to Ukraine. These countries have played a key role in sourcing artillery shells from Indian manufacturers such as Yantra India, Munitions India, and Kalyani Strategic Systems. According to customs records, exports of ammunition from India to these nations have surged from $2.8 million in the two years prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, to over $135 million in the period between February 2022 and July 2024.

A former executive from Yantra India confirmed that empty shells were being shipped to Italy’s Meccanica per l’Elettronica e Servomeccanismi (MES), a key buyer that fills them with explosives for use by Ukraine’s military. MES, which has emerged as Yantra’s largest foreign client, did not respond to requests for comment.

The arms transfers come at a time when India is attempting to expand its defense exports, having set a goal to increase arms sales to $6 billion by 2029. This expansion, analysts say, has likely contributed to some end-user violations, as Indian officials strive to grow the country’s defense industry.

Despite Russia’s concerns, analysts note that Moscow holds limited leverage over New Delhi. India continues to maintain warm relations with both Russia and Western countries, including the U.S., which has backed Ukraine in the conflict. The diversion of munitions to Ukraine, while limited, underscores India’s balancing act in navigating its international relationships amid the ongoing war.