Odessa
Anti-aircraft defense, tanks, ammunition, spare parts: Ukraine will receive a new German weapons package worth half a billion euros for its defense against Russia.
“We will continue to support you in this defensive battle,” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced as he presented the package during a meeting with his counterpart Rustem Umjerov in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa. The SPD politician added that some of the material is about to be delivered. Umjerow combined his thanks to Germany with a call on other partners to support his country even more intensively.
It was Pistorius’s third visit to Ukraine since Russia’s war of aggression began in February 2022. The trip was kept secret for security reasons until departure from Odessa in view of the current Russian offensive with increased air strikes. Russia has been increasing its airstrikes on Ukraine for months. So far, countless people have lost their lives and important infrastructure in the country has been destroyed.
Ukraine gets anti-aircraft defense, spare parts and more tanks
The new weapons package includes a large number of Iris-T SLM medium-range anti-aircraft missiles and a smaller number of shorter-range SLS missiles, Pistorius said. This also includes drones for reconnaissance and combat in the Black Sea, as well as urgently needed spare parts such as replacement tubes for artillery systems and replacement engines for Leopard battle tanks. One million rounds of small arms ammunition will also be supplied. The delivery of 18 new wheeled howitzers of the latest design will follow from 2025. Germany will also finance industrial training for Ukrainian technicians. The package also includes means for interference-free satellite communications.
Based on previous commitments, additional Leopard A1 and Leopard II A4 main battle tanks would be delivered from Spain this year. A total of 19 tanks will be made available to Ukraine from Spain, and Germany will help restore, maintain and repair them – with one million euros for each tank. In addition, Germany will provide additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles, armored fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft tanks and equipment for electronic warfare command and control capabilities. Ukraine will also receive several hundred urgently needed sniper rifles.
Pistorius: We assume that the war will last longer
Pistorius said he was listing the details to “underline that we are currently not just delivering what is available.” Instead, special emphasis was placed on sustainability by placing orders that would only become reality in the coming years. This is happening “because we believe that it is important to take precautions now to ensure that this war lasts longer and that we want and will continue to support it.”
Umjerow: We have never violated agreements
Umyerov emphasized the importance of further arms deliveries. “Our partners must provide us with weapons so that we can reach the strategic objects to push the enemy back behind (Ukraine’s) internationally recognized borders.” Kiev will not violate any requirements for deployment. “As a civilized country, we have never violated agreements.” We are grateful to every country that supplies arms for the assistance they have shown.
Umyerov described reports of problems with the mobilization as Russian propaganda. The situation has become highly politicized in recent months and Moscow is benefiting from this. He pointed to a recently launched cell phone app that allows conscripts to update their information. “We currently have 1.2 million registrations for this application alone, which demonstrates the great interest.” He added: “Ukrainians will continue to defend their nation until they reach internationally recognized borders.”
Pistorius avoids using weapons on Russian territory
Pistorius again responded evasively to the question of whether Germany would allow Ukraine, like other EU countries, to use Western weapons on Russian territory. “International law permits the use of these weapons,” the chancellor said Olaf Scholz (SPD) clearly expressed. If there are bilateral agreements on the use of weapons, they are not intended for the public. He thinks ‘little about exposing red lines or making it clear what we will or will not tolerate and which weapons are used where’. He added: “I can’t imagine the Kremlin would ever do that.” This is also “an expression of a certain strategic ambiguity (double meaning), which only works if you don’t talk about it.”
Drones are being upgraded with AI
The Minister of Defense was shown the developments of the German AI company Helsing, specialized in the use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems. The company integrates AI software into Ukrainian or Western combat and reconnaissance drones, so that they can find their target independently of the control center during electronic jamming measures by the Russians. Pistorius called such developments of great importance for Ukraine to “survive in this defensive battle with smart and innovative concepts and resources.” Not only Ukraine benefits from the developments, but also the armed forces.
Minister at Combat Training: Very impressive
At a training ground of the Ukrainian army, Pistorius heard about the training of soldiers being prepared for deployment to the front. In addition to drone defense, he was also shown a combat exercise. He also gained insight into Ukrainian sniper and medical training. Later, he was shown a newly established position to defend against Russian attacks near the port of Odessa and visited wounded soldiers in a military hospital.
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