In this photo taken from video distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, a Russian soldier fires a 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B toward a Ukrainian position in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Due to the production of TNT creating hazardous waste, the U.S. stopped producing it in the 1980s. Instead, it fully relied on imports of the material from China, Russia, Poland, and Ukraine, all of which have ceased exporting TNT because it is needed for explosives.<\/p>\n

The other major source was recycling decommissioned shells and other explosives in the U.S. arsenal, which the Pentagon used to do regularly. However, after the Biden administration tapped into shell stockpiles to send to Ukraine, this source has dried up, too.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Army has moved to correct the effort, announcing a contract for a TNT production plant in Kentucky slated to begin production in 2028. However, this will be for exclusive military use, leaving construction and mining companies in a tough spot.<\/p>\n

Clark Mica, president of an explosives industry trade association, said in an interview with the outlet that <\/em>the “world as we know it does not exist without industrial explosives.”<\/p>\n

TNT plays an essential role in mining and construction. It is used to turn rock quarries into the raw material needed for bridges, roads, and buildings across the U.S. A continued shortage could complicate infrastructure projects across the country, especially as President Donald Trump looks to boost domestic production<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Exploiting mines needed for rare earth minerals could also be complicated. Mica estimated that explosives are used nine out of ten times for anything that’s mined.<\/p>\n

RUSSIA LAUNCHES LARGEST STRIKE AGAINST KYIV SINCE ALASKA SUMMIT WITH TRUMP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Moscow and Kyiv’s desperate push to win the war in Ukraine through sheer force has caused them to decide the age-old “guns vs butter” problem — how to manage the tradeoffs between military versus civilian spending &mdash<\/a>; largely in favor of the guns. While drones, which use TNT for their payload, are the most visible weapons in the war, artillery continues to be used decisively around the clock. <\/p>\n

The standard 100-pound, 155 mm artillery shell used by both sides consumes an inordinate amount of TNT, especially compared to the small, strategically placed charges used in mining. A standard U.S. 155 mm artillery shell uses<\/a> 23.4 pounds of TNT. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. provided Ukraine with roughly 3 million shells, making up roughly 71.4 million pounds of TNT. Ukraine fires roughly 5,000 155 mm shells every day, for an average of 2 million per month, according to<\/a> Forbes<\/em>. Russia’s artillery use is significantly higher, ranging from<\/a> 10,000 rounds to 36,000 rounds per day. This astronomical use of explosives will require an increasing amount of TNT as the war continues, boding poorly for the global supply chain for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n