MOSCOW, 29 Jan. The German military is «in worse shape than ever» because of aid to Ukraine, writes The Economist.
In particular, the publication notes, stockpiles of weapons and shells will last only a few days — instead of the month recommended in accordance with NATO standards. «The radio equipment used by the German military is over 40 years old, and it is analog, that is, its signals are easy to intercept. Out of 350 Puma infantry fighting vehicles, only 150 are operational,» the article says.
The publication also recalled reforms promised a year ago that have not yet begun.
At the same time, after long discussions, Germany agreed to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on Wednesday. It is planned to form two tank battalions, at the first stage, Berlin will transfer a company of 14 A6 modification vehicles from the Bundeswehr stocks. As German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted, the tanks may arrive in Ukraine at the end of March.
Russia sent a note to NATO countries because of the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. The Foreign Ministry stated that the NATO countries are «playing with fire» by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that pumping Ukraine with weapons from the West does not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and will have a negative effect.
Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24. President Vladimir Putin called its goal «the protection of people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years.» For this, according to him, it is planned to carry out «demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine», to bring to justice all war criminals responsible for «bloody crimes against civilians» in Donbass.
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