Germany secretly transfers large arms aid package to Ukraine

Accordingly, the article described it as a "very large" shipment and was carried out in secret, with almost no one noticing.

Aid package details

Germany is said to have secretly transferred a large arms aid package to Ukraine. Photo: Global Look Press.

According to Merkur, the aid package includes 39 heavy armored vehicles from the reserves of the German army and the country's defense enterprises. Kiev has received 10 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks and 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), along with other equipment.

Public data from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s cabinet shows that the total number of Leopard 1A5 tanks and Marder IFVs delivered to Ukraine has increased to 50 and 120 respectively. Other heavy equipment in this latest delivery includes engineering and mine-clearing vehicles. The package also includes 55,000 155mm artillery shells.

The German government also said it plans to send an additional 85 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine at an unspecified date. This package is part of a joint project with Denmark. Future shipments will also include 20 additional Marder IFVs.

The Merkur newspaper also said that Berlin had planned to supply Ukraine with 80 Leopard tanks before the end of 2023, but the schedule was delayed due to the country's defense industry having difficulty finding spare parts.

Accordingly, Kiev still hopes to have enough German tanks to form a specialized brigade for offensive operations and has "restrained" the use of remaining Western tanks for many months.

The Russian military has released several videos showing German tanks being destroyed by kamikaze fighters or captured by Russian soldiers after being abandoned. The latest batch of weapons also includes two IRIS-T ground-based air defense systems and three US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers.

In May, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius pledged that Berlin would pay for the transfer of these US-made systems to Ukraine.

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany has emerged as the second-largest single military donor to Ukraine throughout the conflict, spending around 10.2 billion euros ($11.14 billion) on arms supplies to Kiev from January 2022 to April 2024. Berlin said around 28 billion euros ($30.5 billion) had been allocated to support Kiev now and in the coming years.

In June, Chancellor Scholz acknowledged that many Germans were unhappy with his country's military support for Ukraine, but he maintained that there was no choice but to arm Kiev. In July, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said his country would "never" have enough weapons.

International reaction

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Photo: Getty.

Responding to this information, Russia strongly criticized Germany's move. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that providing weapons to Ukraine would only increase tensions and prolong the conflict. "This is a provocative and unacceptable act. It only increases tensions and prolongs the conflict," Mr. Zakharova said.

Ukraine, in turn, welcomed the German move. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support from Germany and other European countries. "We are very grateful for the support of Germany and other European partners. This aid package will help strengthen our defense capabilities and protect the Ukrainian people from Russian attacks," Zelensky said.

Germany’s arms package is seen as a significant step in supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. It not only helps strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities but also sends a strong message of European support for Ukraine. At the same time, this move also shows that Germany is ready to play an important role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine and protecting European security.

NHAT DUY (According to RT/RBC Ukraine)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/duc-bi-mat-chuyen-goi-vien-tro-vu-khi-lon-cho-ukraine-204240716095915008.htm