War against Ukraine: “We are effectively disarmed”

The view of Germany is divided among Ukrainian fighters: They are aware of the help from the federal government – but also that the support is not enough to be able to hope for victory.

In a field near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, they are still holding the fort, training for emergencies – the men of the territorial defense unit. While a herd of sheep grazes on the horizon, deep trenches run through the field. They remind you that the fighting here was very close just a few weeks ago.

These fights could soon become real again for the volunteers – on the front in eastern Ukraine. Other members of the unit are already fighting there, reports Aleksandr:

Ukraine criticizes the lack of arms deliveries

According to official figures, an estimated 200 Ukrainian soldiers are currently dying at the front every day. And Russia is steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine has little to counter Russian artillery in the Donbass. 2,000 armored vehicles, 1,000 howitzers, 500 tanks – that’s what Ukraine needs in the fight against Russia, according to Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podoliak. However, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has only received ten percent of the weapons requested.

In Kyiv, they are therefore hoping for support from Chancellor Olaf Scholz, says Aleksandr: “I would like to say to Mr Scholz that this is no longer the Russia in which he does not want to see German tanks. This is another Russia, a fascist state. If If he’s so opposed to fascism, then he has to understand that. Russia is a threat to the whole world, to all of Europe and to the world order.”

The superiority of the Russian army – “a myth”

They don’t think much of diplomatic solutions here. Too much trust has been destroyed in recent years, too many agreements have been broken by Russia.

And now the actually high reputation of Germany has suffered significant scratches. The men say the Federal Republic is hesitant and anxious. The Russian army is being overestimated in the west, says commander Aleksej:

Kyiv – the wrong target?

Then Europe could breathe again, the men are convinced of that. And then they would no longer have to live in war. Ruslan, a guy with coarse fingers and a full beard who somehow resembles a cowboy in camouflage, could then work as a car mechanic again. Just like before February 24th. “It’s very good that Scholz is coming here. But he should really see what’s happening in Donbass. How people die there and what they die for,” says Ruslan.

Ruslan is also ready to die for his country to protect his family – so that they never have to experience what the people of Bucha, Irpin and many other places in Ukraine suffered under Russian occupation.