In the Ukraine, more weapons have arrived from Germany to fight against the Russian attackers. As the German Press Agency learned from Ukrainian government circles, there are 1,500 “Strela” anti-aircraft missiles and 100 MG3 machine guns.
There are also 8 million rounds of ammunition for handguns. In addition, further relief supplies from Germany have arrived for the Ukrainian armed forces in the war zone. These include 350,000 food packs, 50 medical transport vehicles and medical supplies.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) promised Ukraine further arms deliveries after the EU summit in Brussels. Many countries – including Germany – have broken their previous practice of not delivering weapons to war zones. “Now that is the case, and that is a very special sign,” said the Chancellor.
According to Ukrainian information, the MG3 that has now been delivered is the Bundeswehr’s standard machine gun, which is used by many of the troops’ units. It can hit targets at 1200 meters and fire 1300 rounds per minute. For this purpose, 5 million rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition were also sent to Ukraine. In addition, the armed forces received 3 million rounds of the smaller 5.56 caliber.
First deliveries already in the first weeks of the war
Ukraine had previously received 500 of the Strela anti-aircraft missiles from Germany. They come from the stocks of the National People’s Army of the GDR. The Ministry of Defense did not want to comment on the Ukrainian information about the weapons that had arrived. The federal government has not commented publicly on this for some time.
Shortly after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Germany decided to supply arms – although the arms export guidelines of the federal government actually prohibit deliveries to crisis areas.
According to Ukrainian information, 500 rocket-propelled grenades plus 1,000 rounds of ammunition, 500 anti-aircraft missiles of the “Stinger” type and the “Strela” were delivered in the first weeks of the war. In addition, Ukraine received 14 armored vehicles, 23,000 protective helmets, 1,300 bulletproof vests and 2,600 metal plates for protective vests and night vision devices.
Zelenskyj also calls for tanks and fighter planes
It was also announced on Wednesday that the Ministry of Defense intends to hand over 2,000 more rocket-propelled grenades to Ukraine. According to dpa information, a corresponding application was made to the Federal Security Council.
At an alliance summit in Brussels on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the NATO countries to also supply tanks and fighter jets. The federal government has two wish lists from the Ukrainian embassy, which contain all the heavy weapons that the Bundeswehr has at its disposal – from battle tanks to warships. So far, however, the federal government has refrained from delivering heavy weapons.