How Ukraine's weapons shape the war with Russia | DW News

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told NATO last week that all his country was looking for is weapons - lots of them and more serious ones. So far western allies have delivered equipment like anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. At least 17,000 such weapons against tanks have come in from NATO members like the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. They seem to have proven highly effective against Russian armor. As have

Turkish-made drones armed with air-to-surface missiles. The Bayraktar TB2 drone has been a workhorse for Ukrainian forces. The US may deliver hundreds of small, fast Switchblade drones that also go after armor.

These sorts of lighter weapons have beat back Russian forces, making them downsize their war ambitions and contain their assault on Ukraine's east. But to fully defeat the Russian invasion, Ukraine has been hounding allies for heavier weapons, such as

tanks, long-range artillery, anti-ship missiles and helicopters. Some of that is on the list of the 800 million dollars of new military aid US President Joe Biden recently approved. Western allies are also trying to figure out if eastern European countries can send older equipment that Ukrainian troops are already familiar with, which newer stock could then replace. The UK and European Union have also been stepping up efforts. A total of 1.5 billion euros is coming out of what the EU calls its Peace Facility - a budget for equipment, medical supplies and military aid.

However, it's Germany that's coming under pressure to do more. Right now the government is deadlocked over sending heavy weapons for Ukraine. Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and many others have come out in favor; but whether Ukraine starts getting German tanks will ultimately be a decision made by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

For more news go to

Follow DW on social media:

Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie

#Ukraine #Russia #Weapons