EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Officials say Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be visiting an ammunition factory in Scranton.
The Associated Press reports that Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on Sunday.
The AP cites multiple sources that Zelenskyy will visit the plant to see where the artillery shells are made which his country uses in its war with Russia.
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According to AP, the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant is one of the few facilities in the country to manufacture 155mm artillery shells.
A local Ukrainian volunteer feels the president's visit is an urgent reminder and the shells are a vital tool for battle.
"It's urgently needed," says a Ukraine volunteer from Swoyersville.
So urgently needed, the Associated Press reports Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will check out the vital Scranton resource for himself.
He is expected to thank workers for their efforts in the production of artillery shells Ukraine has used in the more than two-and-a-half-year war.
"That's just a great effort to show that they do need us. We're not fighting a nuclear war, it's a ground war, and in ground wars your artillery is your main backup," said Daniel Griffin, a Ukraine Volunteer from Swoyersville.
Griffin saw the war-torn country for himself in 2022. The Ukrainian relief effort volunteer from Swoyersville spent three months in Ukraine helping those trapped in the devastation. According to the A.P., the U.S. has been the largest donor to Ukraine and the Scranton plant plays a large role in that.
"And that facility is an expert at it so that's why the quality and machinery they use is of paramount importance to Ukraine," continued Griffin.
The ammunition plant has operated under various names since opening in 1953.
"That plant has been there a long time and they're making a lot of shells. I guess hopefully they do the job and this war gets over soon because it's sad," stated Kevin Colarusso the owner of Colarusso's Cafe. Ukraine, at one point in the war, was firing between 6,000 and 8,000 shells per day.
The Scranton plant recently received an order to increase production by 50 percent and add three new production lines to churn out even more shells.
Griffin says Zelenskyy's visit underscores the importance of U.S. support.
"It's a reminder that they need us and it's better to send this aid over by plane than our troops on the ground. And I can't emphasize enough how important that is," added Griffin.
28/22 News will provide coverage of President Zelenskyy's visit to Scranton both on air and online.
