Germany and the United States to send 40 combat vehicles to Ukraine, Russia condemns

Kiev –

German will supply 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles in the coming weeks Ukraine on US coordination. Government Russia he condemned Germany’s move.

As reported by AFP on Saturday (7/1/2023), US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced last Thursday that their two countries would send fully armed infantry fighting vehicles to help Ukraine to repel a Russian invasion.

The United States will supply the Bradley, which is normally armed with a 25mm autocannon, a 7.62mm machine gun and anti-tank missiles, while Germany will supply the Marder.

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said about 40 Marders would be delivered on Friday. That amount, he said, would be enough to equip a battalion.

“These 40 vehicles will be ready in the first quarter so they can be delivered to Ukraine,” he said, adding that training for Ukrainian soldiers to use the vehicles will be provided in Germany.

Ukraine has long pushed for heavier weapons, including tanks, which would allow it to carry out attacks. Western countries were reluctant, citing fears of getting involved in war or provoking Russia.

But Ukraine has gained momentum, and Western countries have expanded the range of weapons supplied.

Russia criticizes

In response to the plan, the Russian embassy in Berlin condemned Germany’s move on Friday. Russia sees the new deliveries planned as “a further step towards the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine”.

“It is cynical that this decision was made just before the Orthodox Christmas against the backdrop of the unilaterally announced armistice by the president of Russia (Vladimir Putin),” he said.

(country/country)