In an interview with the newspaper group Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, German Major General Christian Freyding stressed the importance of “long-term structured capacity building of the Ukrainian armed forces, which we are now addressing”.
Indeed, Ukrainian armed forces are also reporting success, despite Russia’s advantage, with targeted airstrikes on Russian radar sites, bases and supply routes in Crimea and southern Ukraine.
In early February, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzny, wrote in an analysis for CNN: “The important thing is that these are unmanned systems – such as drones – along with other types of advanced weapons, which are the most provide a good way for Ukraine to avoid getting trapped in a positional war where we do not have the advantage.” For the more than 50 countries supporting Ukraine, led by the United States, this means more high-tech than ever before. To supply weapons.
The United States has responded to the call by supplying so-called GLSDB precision bombs to Zaluzhnye troops since early February. Made by Boeing-Saab, they have a range of 150 kilometers (about 90 miles), putting the Russian military’s main supply route – the coastal strip between Crimea and the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol – within reach of Ukraine. Lange confirmed to DW, citing security sources, that this was indeed the case. Kiev has been waiting for these precision weapons for more than a year.
Lange says some things are moving in Ukraine’s direction but it remains to be seen whether Europe’s politicians will embrace this change pushed by Western and Ukrainian military strategists. Because they are the ones who will ultimately have to supply weapons to Ukraine for years to come, as well as ensure financial support for increasing European arms production.