**Ukraine Speeds Up Missile Production**
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on December 3 that Ukraine is accelerating its missile production. He met with top officials to discuss contracts for the production of Ukrainian-made weapons.
The meeting focused on new and long-term orders for first-person-view (FPV) drones, reconnaissance drones, long-range drones, and missile-drones. Zelensky also discussed the missile program and testing of new types of missiles.
“We can thank our Ukrainian missile developers. We are accelerating production,” Zelensky said.
**Ukraine’s Missile Program**
Ukraine began actively developing its missile program after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. As of early November, Kyiv has produced its first 100 missiles, according to Zelensky.
The country is also working on domestically-produced ballistic missiles and missile-drones, such as the Palianytsia.
**European Union Support**
The European Union has delivered 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine, fulfilling a pledge it made to deliver by spring 2024. The EU‘s new top diplomat Kaja Kallas made this announcement on December 1.
Ukraine is trying to become more independent from Western partners by ramping up its own domestic ammunition production.
**Russian Actions**
Russia is sending private mercenaries to Syria to reinforce its troops, possibly its so-called Africa Corps, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency claimed on December 3.
The provision of HAWK, NASAMS, and IRIS-T batteries will help avert blackouts in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said as Ukraine braces for fresh attacks in the third winter of the full-scale war.
**NATO Meeting**
NATO’s two-day ministerial meeting will focus on providing Ukraine with enough military aid to enable it to enter any possible negotiations from a position of strength, Secretary General Mark Rutte said ahead of the meeting in Brussels on December 3.
The meeting aims to discuss ways for NATO countries to support Ukraine and help the country become more independent.