DAfter consultations with its supporters, Ukraine is hoping to soon receive more anti-aircraft weapons, artillery ammunition, drones and the first Western combat aircraft. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced this on Facebook on Wednesday. The partners of the country attacked by Russia had previously discussed matters at NATO in the so-called Ramstein format. According to Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), Germany will lead an alliance with France to improve Ukraine’s air defense.
On Thursday night, a Ukrainian drone hit set fire to a large fuel depot in the Russian border region of Kursk, Russian authorities said. There were no injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj discussed with his leadership in Kiev how Ukraine could better combat Russian reconnaissance drones. Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for almost two years. Next week, February 24th, is the anniversary of the start of the war.
Waiting for the F-16
The Ramstein Format, led by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, met in Brussels ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers on Thursday. The introduction of the US F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine is “on schedule,” Umerov said without providing further details. Ukrainian pilots and ground crews are currently being trained for the aircraft. The Netherlands and Denmark will hand over aircraft to Ukraine that are expected there this year. Umerov also reported on a drone supply alliance led by Latvia and a demining alliance led by Lithuania.
Berlin and Paris lead alliance for Ukrainian air defense
Germany and France lead another of these so-called capability coalitions, namely for air defense. Pistorius and his French colleague Sébastien Lecornu signed the founding documents in Brussels. The alliance is intended to ensure long-term efficient support for Ukraine in the area of ground-based air defense. After the immediate aid, it is now about long-term capabilities, explained Pistorius. Air defense is a basic prerequisite for the success of the Ukrainian armed forces in their fight against the Russian aggressor.
According to Pistorius, Germany will also lead a planned coalition for armored combat vehicles – this time not alongside France, but alongside Poland. Germany also wants to take part in alliances for artillery, maritime security, demining and drones.
Ukraine is arming itself against Russian reconnaissance drones
Drones of the Orlan type are “the eyes for Russian artillery and combat drones,” Zelensky wrote on Wednesday on the X portal (formerly Twitter). Ukraine can technically make such drones blind. What is needed, however, is a systematic approach from identifying enemy drones to using electronic warfare against them and destroying them. A close connection between the army and arms producers is necessary. “Manufacturers must clearly understand the needs of the front, while the Army should know the production capabilities in each region,” the president said.
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