In order to defend itself against the Russian large-scale attack in the Donbass, Ukraine needs tanks and other heavy equipment. More and more NATO countries are making corresponding commitments.
Ukraine needs more heavy weapons to be able to defend itself in the second phase of the Russian war of aggression.
The second phase of the Russian attack on Ukraine is likely to be a battle of attrition. In recent weeks, Russia has massed large units behind the eastern front line and began massive artillery shelling of Ukrainian positions on Tuesday night.
In the open terrain of the Donbass, which was already the scene of tank battles in World War II, Russia can demonstrate its superiority in firepower better than in the urban areas, which were the focus of the Russian attackers at the beginning of the war.
The Ukrainian pin-prick tactics of small mobile units, which fought the enemy extremely effectively with bazookas and portable anti-aircraft missiles in the first phase of the war, will not suffice here. In order to stop or even push back the Russian advance, Ukraine needs more heavy weapons. The leadership in Kyiv has been asking the West for appropriate support for weeks.
Tanks, howitzers, combat helicopters
These requests are increasingly being answered. US President Biden announced details of another arms delivery on Thursday. Among other things, Washington wants to send dozens of howitzers and tactical drones to Ukraine.
W had previouslyAshington’s commitments included the delivery of 18 howitzers, 200 armored personnel carriers, 11 attack helicopters and 700 kamikaze drones – in addition to the thousands of armor-piercing weapons that were of great value in the first phase of the war.
Also on Thursday, it was announced that Slovakia would send Soviet T-72 tanks to Ukraine. In return, the East-Central European country receives armored personnel carriers and wheeled armored vehicles from German stocks.
Soviet technology can be used immediately
Such a ring exchange took place a few weeks ago, when Slovakia delivered its S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine in exchange for a squadron of the American Patriot system from Germany. Poland, in turn, has signed a contract with the US for 250 Abrams main battle tanks, which is interpreted as preparation for the delivery of up to 100 Soviet T-72 tanks from Polish stocks. However, there is no official information on this yet.
The Czech Republic was already delivering main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers at the beginning of April. It was the first delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Since then, the Czech Republic and Poland have announced, among other things, the delivery of howitzers, some of them self-propelled, and rocket launchers. Nine howitzers came from Estonia.
These are older weapons of Soviet design. This has the advantage that the weapons can be used immediately because the Ukrainian army is familiar with the technology. Prague has also announced that it will repair Ukrainian equipment on Czech territory.
USA coordinate the aid
The delivery of heavy weapons is logistically and security demanding. Panzerfausts and rifles can be carried across the border relatively discreetly, but it is more difficult with tanks and artillery systems. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a month ago that foreign arms shipments were considered a legitimate target. However, Russia’s ability to hit moving targets in Ukraine without air sovereignty appears to be very limited.
Concern is also expressed, not least in Germany, that the delivery of heavy weapons could turn NATO into a war party. The proposal to supply Ukraine with Soviet fighter jets from the Polish Air Force was rejected in March, mainly for fear of an escalation. But the mood is changing.
According to information from the Oryx, a website specializing in military news Slovakia to provide Ukraine with its small fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets. Irrespective of this, the Ukrainian Air Force was able to significantly increase its fleet of operational aircraft this week. 20 machines could be repaired through the delivery of spare parts, which had been mediated mainly by the USA.
Washington is also in contact with buyers of Russian armaments technology worldwide in order to ensure the supply of ammunition former American General Ben Hodges of the New York Times.
As a coordinator in the background, the US plays the key role in providing military assistance to Ukraine. Most of the threads come together at the headquarters of the US European Command in Stuttgart. The USA is also by far the most important arms supplier. US military aid has totaled $2.6 billion since the outbreak of war alone.
Elaborate adjustment of the logistics
Because Ukraine’s needs cannot be met solely with the available stocks of Soviet and Russian armaments, especially in an expected war of attrition. Other Western countries are therefore also promising to supply heavy weapons from their own stocks.
Following a conference call between several Western heads of government on Tuesday, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands and Norway, among others, announced the delivery of heavy weapons.
In order for the Ukrainian army to be able to use these systems, some of the personnel have to be retrained and the entire supply chain has to be extensively adapted. At 155 millimeters, for example, NATO howitzers have a slightly larger caliber than Soviet-made devices. The US has already started training Ukrainian soldiers in neighboring countries like Poland.