SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Scranton plant that helps manufacture ammunition for his country's war with Russia.
Scranton Army Ammunition Plant has been at the forefront of Ukraine's War with Russia. So much so that President Zelenskyy visited the facility on Sunday to show his appreciation.
In a roughly hour-long tour inside the ammunition plant, President Zelenskyy met with the team of workers churning out 155-millimeter artillery shells for his country's battle with Russia.
"I have heard that 400 people work here, but I wanted very much to come here and to thank you. Four hundred people have saved millions of Ukrainians." Zelenskyy told those inside the facility.
"To know our workers here in Northeastern Pennsylvania are keeping liberty alive in Ukraine we're all busting our buttons right now. It's just an honor to receive this visit," said Congressman Matt Cartwright.
Congressman Cartwright, along with Senator Bob Casey, Governor Josh Shapiro, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti joined Zelenskyy and the Ukraine ambassador for the tour.
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"To see them be thanked by someone with the stature and the power of President Zelenskyy was just an incredible moment here in Scranton," said Mayor Cognetti.
The plant just recently increased its production by 50%.
Cartwright says conversations inside the facility were about continuing those efforts.
"What we talked about today was ramping up, scaling up the production because the Russians are going through about 100,000 shells a month," Cartwright explained.
Cognetti says Zelenskyy's visit is a stark reminder for those here to show those efforts are not going anywhere.
"For us here in Scranton, in Pennsylvania, and in the US, an opportunity for us to tell them that we stand behind them and will continue to do what we can so that they are successful," Cognetti added.
Zelenskyy's visit to Scranton comes nearly 1,000 days into war with Russia.
He will make his way to the United Nations General Assembly annual gathering in New York next.
