Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania on Sunday (September 22), expressing his gratitude to the workers producing munitions critical to Ukraine's defense against Russian forces. The Scranton plant is one of the few facilities in the U.S. that manufactures 155 mm artillery shells, a munition that has been crucial in Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia.
During his visit, Zelenskyy thanked the plant's workers, stating, "Four hundred people have saved millions of Ukrainians," according to a U.S. Army report. The Scranton plant has played a vital role in the production of 155 mm artillery rounds, which have helped Ukraine bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities.
The U.S. has committed more than $55.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. This assistance includes over 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, more than 40 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition, over 200 155 mm howitzers, more than 3,000,000 155 mm artillery shells, more than 600,000 mortar shells, more than 300 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, over 1.8 million rounds of 25 mm ammunition, 20 Mi-17 helicopters, and in excess of 400 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and grenades.
Zelenskyy's visit to the Scranton plant is part of a busy week in the United States. He is scheduled to speak at the U.N. General Assembly annual gathering in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday and then travel to Washington for talks on Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as he seeks to shore up support for Ukraine.