Russia will likely need two to four years to rebuild its armed forces to pre-war levels in Ukraine, Estonia’s Defense Minister said on Tuesday, urging continued pressure on Moscow.
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During a trip to Washington, Hanno Pevkur predicted a long conflict and urged the West to stand with the Ukrainians until they achieve victory for “the free world”.
As Russia shifted to using suicide drones, allegedly purchased from Iran, Pevkur said he learned that Russia’s arsenal had shrunk to the point where Russian forces were using the system. anti-aircraft defense S-300 like ordinary missiles, and that some Russian shells exploded even before reaching their target, because of their age.
“The consensus, more or less, is that it will take Russia two to four years to restore some capabilities or even capabilities similar to what it had” before the war, Estonian minister told roundtable in front of the press.
According to him, Western sanctions have particularly affected the production of planes and the maintenance of helicopters by depriving Russia of key elements.
“When we can find new ways to affect Russia with the sanctions, of course we have to do it,” said Hanno Pevkur, who had just met his Pentagon counterpart.
In a statement following the meeting, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin “praised Estonia for its forward-looking support for Ukraine”. He also “expressed his agreement with Minister Pevkur on the need to maintain strong support (in Kyiv) in the future”.
Hanno Pevkur warned reporters that Moscow still has the ability to carry out attacks, including on NATO members such as Estonia.
However, he played down the possibility of a nuclear strike, an option brandished by Russian President Vladimir Putin when he announced the annexation of Ukrainian territories.
Russia has already “caused fear in Ukraine” with its conventional attacks, Pevkur said, saying he saw no “added value, positive for Russia” in a nuclear strike.
“They would lose their silent supporters like China or others because of this,” he said.
