SOURCE: AFI
In yet another twist to the complex web of global arms supply chains, Indian-made ammunition has once again been spotted in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. Recent footage circulating on social media platforms shows Ukrainian soldiers loading a 2S22 Bogdana self-propelled howitzer with 155mm shells bearing markings linked to Munitions India Limited (MIL), a state-owned Indian defense manufacturer. This development reignites speculation about India’s indirect role in arming Ukraine, despite New Delhi’s official stance of neutrality and denial of direct exports to the war-torn nation.
The 2S22 Bogdana, Ukraine’s first domestically produced self-propelled howitzer designed to NATO’s 155mm standard, has emerged as a cornerstone of Kyiv’s artillery capabilities. Mounted on a wheeled truck chassis, the Bogdana offers a firing range of over 40 kilometers with standard rounds and up to 50 kilometers with extended-range ammunition. Its recent upgrades, including an automatic loader, have boosted its rate of fire, making it a vital asset in Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces.
The ammunition in question—identified as 155mm High Explosive Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed (HE ERFB BB) shells—matches the specifications of rounds produced by MIL, a company formed in 2021 following the corporatization of India’s Ordnance Factory Board. These shells, known for their enhanced range and precision, are compatible with NATO-standard artillery systems like the Bogdana, making them a seamless fit for Ukraine’s growing fleet of Western-aligned howitzers.
This is not the first instance of Indian ammunition appearing in Ukraine. Reports and visuals dating back to early 2024 have suggested that Indian 155mm shells, including those manufactured by MIL and private firms like Adani Defence, have found their way into Ukrainian hands. While India has consistently denied direct exports to Ukraine, citing its neutral position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, evidence points to a more convoluted route involving third-party intermediaries.
Analysts speculate that these shells are being procured through European nations or arms dealers, a practice that obscures the supply chain and allows India to maintain plausible deniability. In September 2024, Reuters reported that customs data showed Yantra India Limited, another Indian defense firm, had shipped $35 million worth of 155mm L15A1 shells to a European buyer between 2022 and 2024, with indications that some ended up in Ukraine. Similar allegations have surfaced regarding MIL’s HE ERFB BB rounds, with posts on X and Ukrainian battlefield footage providing visual corroboration.
Russia has repeatedly raised concerns over this alleged flow of Indian ammunition, with Moscow accusing Western nations of funneling New Delhi’s munitions to Kyiv. India, however, has dismissed these claims as “speculative,” asserting that its defense exports are governed by strict end-user agreements and are not intended for conflict zones like Ukraine.
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