The European Union has supplied Ukraine with more than 980,000 artillery shells

European Union foreign policy chief Borrell said Monday that the bloc has supplied Ukraine with more than 980,000 artillery shells for use in its war with Russia. That number could top 1 million by the end of the year.

The EU initially planned to supply 1 million 155mm shells by March this year, but officials later said the production capacity was insufficient to meet the target.

Borrell told Ukraine's Europravda newspaper: "I know we promised to reach this level by spring, but we didn't do it. But we can do it by the end of the year."

Czech Prime Minister Fiala said a separate initiative led by Prague would deliver 500,000 artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of the year.

Ukraine has also been increasing domestic defense production in an attempt to reduce its dependence on military aid from Allies and ensure timely supplies.

According to Kiev's top weapons official, Ukraine's production of mortar shells has increased from zero before the Russian invasion to millions a year now.