CDS Daily brief (02.10.22) | CDS comments on key events

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Humanitarian aspect:

As of the morning of October 2, 2022, more than 1,196 Ukrainian children are victims of full- scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation, Prosecutor General’s Office reports. The official number of children who have died and been wounded in the course of the Russian aggression is 412, and more than 784 children, respectively. However, the data is not conclusive since data collection continues in the areas of active hostilities, temporarily occupied areas, and liberated territories.

Ukraine conducted 24 exchanges and returned 808 people from Russian captivity, said Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Anna Malyar. She noted that at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the Cabinet of Ministers established the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War based on the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, which unites more than ten state agencies and organizations. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Defense emphasized that Ukraine complies with all norms of the Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.

According to the head of the Lugansk Oblast Military Administration, Serhiy Gaidai, the Russians took 76 Ukrainian orphans from the occupied territories of Luhansk Oblast. They are kept in social rehabilitation centers for minors in the Moscow region. Another 104 children under supervision in social institutions of the so-called “LPR” are being prepared to be transferred under guardianship to Russian families.

Over the past day, October 1, as a result of Russian military aggression on the territory of Ukraine, eight civilians were killed, and another 21 people were injured. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, reported this on Telegram, referring to the data of regional military administrations, Ukrinform reports. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast – one dead, four wounded; in Mykolaiv Oblast- seven wounded; in Kharkiv Oblast – four dead, one wounded.

In the morning, the Russian troops shelled Zaporizhzhia and its neighborhoods. The industrial infrastructure was destroyed. According to preliminary information, the enemy struck with four S-300 missiles.

In the Donetsk Oblast, the troops of the Russian Federation shelled 18 towns and villages in the past day, reported by the National Police. On October 1, enemy shelling killed 2 civilians in Avdiivka and 1 in Paraskoviivka. 9 more were injured. In total, law enforcement officers documented 32 Russian war crimes in the Oblast during the day. 27 civilian objects were destroyed and damaged by enemy strikes: 22 residential buildings, a hospital, farm buildings and a railway station.

In particular, in Avdiivka, a medical facility and six apartment buildings were damaged due to the impact of Russian shells, and civilians were injured and killed. The police also helped to evacuate 151 more people from the Donetsk Oblast yesterday. Since the beginning of the mandatory

evacuation, more than 20,700 civilians have left the Oblast with the help of the police, including 3,363 children and 997 people with disabilities.

The enemy attacked Mykolaiv Oblast at night with seven “Shahed-136” kamikaze drones. Five of them were destroyed. They also struck Mykolayiv with eight S-300 missiles, Operational Command “South” reported. In residential areas, apartment buildings and outbuildings were damaged. Initially, seven people were injured.

In Kharkiv Oblast, during the past day, the Russians shelled Kupyansk and villages of Kupyansky district (1 wounded), Vovchansk and Gatishche of Chuguyiv district.

The bodies of five people who tried to evacuate on their own were found in Kharkiv Oblast. Serhii Bolvinov, head of the Investigative Department of the State Police in the Kharkiv region, reported this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports. According to his information, the residents of Kupyansk tried to evacuate to Kharkiv on their own by car on May 6 but came across a Russian land mine on the way.

Also, in Kharkiv Oblast, an ambulance that was on its way to a patient’s call was blown up by a mine. The driver died, reported the Center for Emergency Medical Aid and Disaster Medicine on Facebook. According to local mass media, the tragedy happened in Balaklia. The ambulance burned to the ground.

At night, the enemy attacked two districts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast – Nikopol and Kryvyi Rih. In Nikopol, private houses, farm buildings and power lines were damaged. A kamikaze drone attacked Kryvyi Rih – two floors of the local lyceum were destroyed.

In the Akhtyrka district of Sumy Oblast, a car of the Ukrtelecom service crew blew up on an enemy land mine. There were four people in the car, three in the hospital. The driver, unfortunately, died on the spot, the head of the Sumy District Police Department reports.

Operational situation

It is the 221st day of the strategic air-ground offensive operation of the Russian Armed Forces against Ukraine (in the official terminology of the Russian Federation – “operation to protect Donbas”). The enemy continues to concentrate its efforts on establishing full control over the territory of Donetsk Oblast, maintaining control over the captured territories, and disrupting the intensive actions of the Ukrainian troops in certain directions.

It fires at the positions of the Ukrainian troops along the contact line and conducts aerial reconnaissance. It inflicts strikes on civilian infrastructure and residential buildings, violating the norms of international humanitarian law and the laws and customs of war.

The threat of the enemy launching air and missile strikes on the entire territory of Ukraine persists. Over the past day, the enemy launched 4 missile and 16 air strikes, and carried out more

than 75 MLRS rounds at military and civilian objects on the territory of Ukraine. In addition, the enemy uses the Iranian-made “Shahed-136” UAVs for attacks on infrastructure facilities.

During the past day, more than 30 Ukrainian towns and villages were affected by the Russian strikes, including Bilohorivka, Bakhmut, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Vodyane, Trudove, Bohoyavlenka, Novoukrainka, Orihiv, Zaliznychne, Illinka, Nikopol, Blahodativka, Mykolaiv, Ochakiv, and Odesa. On the state border, Seredyna Buda, Fotovizh and Budky of the Sumy Oblast were shelled.

To restrain the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, six battalions of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus (from the 6th, and 11th separate motorized brigades, 103rd separate airborne brigade and a detachment of the 5th separate SOF brigade) were deployed at Belarus- Ukraine section of the border. Five Russian BTGs (consolidated BTG of the 144th motorized rifle division (MRD), consolidated BTG of the 3rd MRD of the 20th Army, BTG of the 15th motorized rifle regiment of the 2nd MRD, the 423rd motorized rifle regiment of the 4th tank division of the 1st tank army, BTG of the 79th motorized rifle regiment of the 18th MRD of the 11th Army Corps) were deployed at Russia-Ukraine section of the border.

In the city of Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Krai (RF), about 5,000 people arrived for mobilization to the 205th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 49th Army of the Southern Military District. Combat training began with the personnel.

Aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out 29 strikes during the past day, damaging the enemy’s stronghold, 22 areas of concentration of weapons and military equipment, and 6 enemy anti-aircraft missile systems. Ukrainian air defense units shot down 2 enemy UAVs.

Ukrainian missile troops and artillery struck 8 enemy command and control posts, 10 areas of concentration of manpower, weapons and military equipment, 3 warehouses with ammunition and 2 anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 during the day.

The morale and psychological state of the personnel of the invasion forces remains low.

Kharkiv direction

• Zolochiv-Balakleya section: approximate length of combat line – 147 km, number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 10-12, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 13.3 km;

• Deployed enemy BTGs: 26th, 153rd, and 197th tank regiments, 245th motorized rifle regiment of the 47th tank division, 6th and 239th tank regiments, 228th motorized rifle regiment of the 90th tank division, 1st motorized rifle regiment, 1st tank regiment of the 2nd motorized rifle division, 25th and 138th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 6th Combined Arms Army, 27th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 1st Tank Army, 275th and 280th motorized rifle regiments, 11th tank regiment of the 18th motorized rifle division of the 11 Army Corps, 7th motorized rifle regiment of the 11th Army Corps, 80th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 14th Army Corps, 2nd and 45th separate SOF brigades of the Airborne Forces, 1st Army Corps of so-called DPR, PMCs.

The enemy continued shelling from tanks, mortars, barrel and rocket artillery in the areas of Vovchansk and Gatyshche, and used UAVs in the Golubivka area to detect the position of Ukrainian troops.

Two BTGs from the 144th motorized rifle division (MRD), which are fighting tense counter-battles with the advanced units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces southeast of Borova and on its southern outskirts, and BTG of the 3rd MRD, which is trying to hold back the advance of the Defense Forces from Kupyansk bridgehead, were gradually squeezed out of their positions and forced to retreat in the direction of Svatove.

During the day, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled enemy attacks in the area of Kozacha Lopan.

In the border areas of the Belgorod region, the enemy deployed six BTGs from the 61st separate marines brigade of the Northern Fleet, 138th separate motorized rifle brigade (two BTGs), 11th tank regiment, 9th motorized rifle regiment of the 18th MRD, 7th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 11th Army Corps.

Enemy units of the 138th separate motorized rifle brigade carried out provocative actions in the area of the Hoptivka checkpoint.

On September 30, about 200 mobilized personnel were transported to the Belgorod airfield by Il-76 military transport aircraft to man the units of the 11th Army Corps.

Kramatorsk direction

• Balakleya – Siversk section: approximate length of the combat line – 184 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 17-20, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 9.6 km;
• 252nd and 752nd motorized rifle regiments of the 3rd motorized rifle division, 1st, 13th, and 12th tank regiments, 423rd motorized rifle regiment of the 4th tank division, 201st military base, 15th, 21st, 30th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 2nd Combined Arms Army, 35th, 55th and 74th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 41st Combined Arms Army, 3rd and 14th separate SOF brigades, 2nd and 4th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 2nd Army Corps, 7th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 1st Army Corps, PMCs.

Russian forces fired at the Ukrainian Defence Forces’ positions in Hryhorivka, Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske and Rozdolivka. They carried out airstrikes on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the Bilohorivka area (with Su-24). To clarify the position of Ukrainian troops and adjust artillery fire, the enemy used UAVs, including “Orlan-10”, in the districts of Kramatorsk, Dorozhnyanka, Nesteryanka, Novopavlivka, Novoandriivka, Ozerne, Drobysheve, Karpivka, Zolotarivka, Spirne.

The Russians managed to withdraw no more than 1.5-2 consolidated battalions from the encirclement in the Lyman area, mainly from the 752nd motorized rifle regiment of the 3rd MRD,

the remnants of the 13th and 16th detachments of the BARS, the 208th rifle regiment of the mobilization reserve of the 2nd Army Corps, and self-propelled battery from the 147th self- propelled artillery regiment.

The units that exited the encirclement are restoring combat capability in the area northeast of Kreminna under cover of two BTGs of the 21st separate motorized rifle brigade of the 2nd Army, which are holding the front in the area of Yampol and the western and southwestern outskirts of Kreminna.

Donetsk direction

• Siversk – Maryinka section: approximate length of the combat line – 235 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 13-15, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 17 km;
• Deployed BTGs: 68th and 163rd tank regiments, 102nd and 103rd motorized rifle regiments of the 150 motorized rifle division, 80th tank regiment of the 90th tank division, 35th, 55th, and 74th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 41st Combined Arms Army, 31st separate airborne assault brigade, 61st separate marines brigade of the Joint Strategic Command “Northern Fleet,” 336th separate marines brigade, 24th separate SOF brigade, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 15th, and 100th separate motorized rifle brigades, 9th and 11th separate motorized rifle regiment of the 1st Army Corps of the so-called DPR, 6th motorized rifle regiment of the 2nd Army Corps of the so-called LPR, PMCs.

The enemy fired at the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the areas of Soledar, Bakhmut, Bakhmutske, Odradivka, Opytne, Yakovlivka, Yuryivka, Novoselivka, Avdiyivka, Krasnohorivka, Opytne, Pervomaiske, Maryinka, Novomykhailivka and Vodyane, and carried out airstrikes on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the area of Krasnohorivka (with a pair of Su-25s), Maryinka (with a pair of Mi-8s), Vodyane (with a pair of Mi-8s).

During the past day, units of the Defense Forces repelled enemy attacks in the areas of Vyimka, Bakhmutske, Bakhmut, Vesela Dolyna and Pervomaiske.

Fighting continues in Pokrovske-Bakhmutske; Pokrovske-Bakhmut. The enemy had no success and retreated; Vershyn, Zaitseve; in Kodema- Zaitseve; Kodema -Odradivka, where units of the PMC “Wagner” are advancing, and Pisky, Nevelske, where the 11th separate motorized rifle regiment of the 1st Army Corps is attacking.

The advance of the enemy 4th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 2nd Army Corps in the direction of Mykolaivka, Vyimka, was stopped, and the enemy was thrown back to the starting line.

Zaporizhzhia direction

• Maryinka – Vasylivka section: approximate length of the line of combat – 200 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 17, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 11.7 km;
• Deployed BTGs: 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th Combined Arms Army, 38th and 64th separate motorized rifle brigades, 69th separate cover brigade of the 35th Combined

Arms Army, 5th separate tank brigade, 37 separate motorized rifle brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army, 135th, 429th, 503rd and 693rd motorized rifle regiments of the 19th motorized rifle division of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 70th, 71st and 291st motorized rifle regiments of the 42nd motorized rifle division of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 136th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 58 Combined Arms Army, 46th and 49th machine gun artillery regiments of the 18th machine gun artillery division of the 68th Army Corps, 39th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 68th Army Corps, 83th separate airborne assault brigade, 40th and 155th separate marines brigades, 22nd separate SOF brigade, 1st Army Corps of the so-called DPR, and 2nd Army Corps of the so-called LPR, PMCs.

The enemy inflicted fire damage in the areas of Novoukrainka, Paraskoviivka, Prechystivka, Pavlivka, Neskuchne, Shakhtarske, Velyka Novosilka, Novoandriivka, Zaliznychne, Hulyaipole, Hulyaipilske, Poltavka, Novopil and Vremivka, and carried out an air strike on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the Zaliznychne area (with Su- 25).

It has been confirmed that the ammunition warehouse was destroyed after a fire attack on September 30 in the area of Chernihivka (Zaporizhzhia Oblast), and about 50 people were wounded.

Kherson direction

• Vasylivka–Nova Zburyivka and Stanislav section: approximate length of the battle line – 252 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 27, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 9.3 km;
• Deployed BTGs: 114th, 143rd, and 394th motorized rifle regiments, 218th tank regiment of the 127th motorized rifle division of the 5th Combined Arms Army, 57th and 60th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 5th Combined Arms Army, 135th, 503rd and 693rd motorized rifle regiments of the 19th motorized rifle division, 70th, 71st and 291st motorized rifle regiments of the 42nd motorized rifle division, 51st and 137th parachute airborne regiments of the 106th parachute airborne division, 7th military base of the 49th Combined Arms Army, 16th and 346th separate SOF brigades.

The operational situation is unchanged.

Measures of partial mobilization, announced by the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation, are ongoing. Since September 30, enemy military units based on the territory of the Republic of Crimea have been put on FULL combat readiness. It is known about the formation of a motorized rifle division on the peninsula’s territory with the mobilized male population of Crimea, the Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Adygea.

According to the available information, two thousand mobilized persons arrived at the permanent deployment base of the 810th separate marines brigade (Sevastopol).

Kherson-Berislav bridgehead

• Velyka Lepetikha – Oleksandrivka section: approximate length of the battle line – 250 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 22, the average width of the combat area of one BTG –11.8 km;

• Deployed BTGs: 108th Air assault regiment, 171st separate airborne assault brigade of the 7th Air assault division, 4th military base of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 429th motorized rifle regiment of the 19th motorized rifle division, 33rd and 255th motorized rifle regiments of the 20th motorized rifle division, 34th, and 205th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 49th Combined Arms Army, 224th, 237th and 239th Air assault regiments of the 76th Air assault division, 217th and 331 Air assault regiments of the 98th Air assault division, 126th separate coastal defense brigade, 127th separate ranger brigade, 11th separate airborne assault brigade, 10th separate SOF brigade, PMC.

The enemy fired at the positions of Ukrainian troops with tanks, mortars, barrel and jet artillery in the areas of Myrolyubivka, Novovoznesneske, Vysokopilya, Arkhangelske, Ivanivka, Olhyne, Biloghirka, Velyke Artakove, Andriivka, Sukhy Stavok, Bezymenne, Blahodativka, Mala Seidemynukha, Kyselivka, Berezneguvate, Lyubomirivka, Shevchenkove, Kobzartsi, Shyroke, Blahodatne, Partyzanske, Novohryhorivka, Myrne, Pravdyne, Oleksandrivka. The enemy used UAVs (up to 34 sorties) on the tactical depth of the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to clarify the position of Ukrainian troops and adjust artillery fire.

Azov-Black Sea Maritime Operational Area:

The forces of the Russian Black Sea Fleet continue to project force on the coast and the continental part of Ukraine and control the northwestern part of the Black Sea. The ultimate goal is to deprive Ukraine of access to the sea and connect unrecognized Transnistria with the Russian Federation by land through the coast of the Black and Azov seas.

On October 2, 8 enemy warships and boats are in the Black Sea conducting reconnaissance and control of navigation. Up to 24 Kalibr missiles are ready for a volley on three carriers: one 1135.6 frigate and two Buyan-M missile corvettes. In general, the current activity of the Russian Federation at sea is characterized by low intensity.

All four project 636.3 submarines in the Black Sea are located in the port of Novorossiysk.

Enemy aviation continues to fly from Crimean airfields Belbek and Gvardiyske over the northwestern part of the Black Sea. Over the past day, 14 Su-27, Su-30 and Su-24 aircraft were deployed from Belbek and Saki airfields.

Enemy landing ships are located at the Novorossiysk and Sevastopol bases.

The Russian forces continue to carry out intensive missile and artillery and air strikes on the objects of the civil and military infrastructure of the seaports of Ukraine. On the night of October 2, the enemy used 7 kamikaze drones, “Shahid 136”, over Mykolaiv. 5 drones were shot down by Ukrainian air defense. The enemy also attacked Mykolaiv Oblast with S-300 air defense missiles (7 missiles) and X-59 missiles from Su-35 aircraft.

On October 1, a significant explosion occurred at the Belbek military airfield. The local media say the reason was the ejection of a combat plane from the airfield’s runway, resulting in the plane’s explosion. The pilot managed to eject. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire and explosion.

On September 30, the Ro-Ro ship “Sparta II”, owned by “Oboronlogistika” LLC, chartered by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, passed the Bosphorus Strait, entered the waters of the Black Sea and transited to the port of Novorossiysk. The nature of the cargo is being clarified. The specified vessel may carry military cargo for logistical support of the Russian troops in Ukraine. Earlier, on August 27, the S-300PMU-2 anti-aircraft missile battalion was moved from the port of Tartus (Syria) to the Novorossiysk base point by the “Sparta II” ship.

“Grain Initiative”: on October 2, the 5th vessel chartered by the World Food Program of the United Nations, the NEW ISLAND vessel, arrived at the port of Chornomorsk for loading. After loading with wheat, the ship will go to Somalia. Also, today, as part of the implementation of the “grain initiative”, 5 ships left the ports of “Odesa”, “Chornomorsk”, and “Pivdenny”. On board, they are 114.7 thousand tons of agricultural products for the countries of Africa and Europe. Among them is the bulk carrier ARGO 1, transporting 31 thousand tons of corn to Egypt, and the bulk carrier DOGA K with 10 thousand tons of wheat for Tunisia.

Since the departure of the first ship with Ukrainian food, 5.8 million tons of agricultural products have been exported. A total of 257 ships left Ukrainian ports with food, which was sent to the countries of Asia, Europe and Africa.

Russian operational losses from 24.02 to 02.10

Personnel – almost 60,110 people (+500);

Tanks – 2,377 (+23);

Armored combat vehicles – 4,975 (+26);

Artillery systems – 1,405 (+8);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 337 (+1); Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 176 (0); Vehicles and fuel tanks – 3,796 (+10); Aircraft – 264 (0);

Helicopters – 227 (+1);

UAV operational and tactical level – 1,015 (+6); Intercepted cruise missiles – 246 (0);

Boats / ships – 15 (0).

Ukraine, general news

The International Atomic Energy Agency is making every effort to release Igor Murashov, the general director of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, kidnapped by Russia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba wrote on his Twitter. As reported earlier, on Friday, September

30, the general director of ZNPP, Igor Murashov, was forcibly detained by the Russians on the road from the station to Energodar. He was blindfolded and taken in an unknown direction.

The Verkhovna Rada is going to nationalize more than 900 objects belonging to the Russian Federation. At the next meeting, the Verkhovna Rada will consider the issue of nationalization under a special procedure of assets of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. This was announced by the deputy head of the Committee on Economic Development, Roksolana Pidlas, the press service of the VRU reports on Telegram.

International diplomatic aspect

For the first time since the beginning of the all-out invasion, Pope Francis directly begged Vladimir Putin to stop the “spiral of violence and death” in Ukraine. The Pontiff condemned Russia’s illegal annexation of the Ukrainian territories for it goes against international law. “My appeal goes above all to the president of the Russian Federation, begging him to stop this spiral of violence and death, even out of love for his own people,” Francis said. He addressed “an equally hopeful appeal to the president of Ukraine to be open to a serious peace proposal.” The Pope repeated the false claim Putin used to justify his aggression about the necessity of respecting “the rights of minorities and (their) legitimate worries.” Neither he elaborated on what he believes “a serious peace proposal” might be after numerous war crimes and destruction, followed by the illegal annexation and the “partial mobilization” aimed at carrying out the initial goals of the so-called “Special military operation.”

Italy, Belgium, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany have summoned Russian ambassadors to their countries for a demarch related to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

“Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is waging a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, a sovereign country. It has started a mobilization, however partial that is. It is talking increasingly loosely about the use of nuclear weapons. In outright contempt of international law, it has arranged sham referendums in areas it has occupied from its neighbor. And as President Putin just declared moments ago, it is using those illegitimate results to claim that these areas are now part of the Russian Federation”, the President of Finland described the profound change in the European security environment. Sauli Niinistö reiterated Finland’s readiness to “continue its assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people for as long as it is needed.” Though he underlined the ability to defend itself as one of the key pillars of the country’s security, he also mentioned the web of partnership and membership in NATO. Twenty- eight countries out of thirty have already ratified Finland’s membership documents. Sauli Niinistö mentioned relations with Russia as an important factor, for it’s impossible to escape geography. The idea is to maintain a functioning relationship with Russia as possible at a given time. Russia “will continue to be our neighbor, even if there is no turn for the better.”

Following Ukraine’s official application for NATO membership, the heads of nine European NATO members issued a joint statement backing it. The leaders of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia declared their “support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion, demand (that Russia) immediately withdraw from

all the occupied territories and encourage all allies to substantially increase their military aid to Ukraine.” However, the US officials expressing their continued support suggested focusing on solving the current issues rather than investing efforts into a membership endeavor.

Germany’s defense minister has made a surprise visit to Odesa. Talking to her Ukrainian counterpart, Christine Lambrecht informed Oleksiy Reznikov that the first IRIS-T SLM air defense system will be delivered in the coming days. So far, Germany has provided defense aid worth

$719 million. However, Kyiv is asking MBTs Leopards and IFVs Marders, while Berlin says it doesn’t want to send tanks alone. Last month the US embassy in Berlin rejected the Chancellor’s notion that there’s an agreement between the western allies not to send modern tanks to Ukraine. The American diplomats stated that there are no such limitations and every country supports Ukraine with anything it finds appropriate.

Forty-seven percent of Germans support sending tanks to Ukraine, while forty-three reject it, according to a ZDF poll. The Greens are leading those who support that idea (62%), followed by Christian Democrats Union (55%) and Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (54%). The most vocal voices against tanks’ delivery are alt-right AfD (80%) and the Left (64%). The opinion on whether Ukraine might win is sharply divided, with 42 percent batting on Ukraine and 41 percent doubting a Ukrainian victory. However, even facing further economic difficulties, most Germans (74%) favor continued support of Ukraine, while only a fifth want this support to end. The most numerous opponents of Ukraine’s support are the alt-right AfD (70%).

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