Russia will intensify air strikes in winter: Pistorius urges allies to help Ukraine
Photo: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (Getty Images)
Allies have realized that a quick end to the war is not expected. Therefore, they are preparing to step up aid to Ukraine as it gets ready for winter, while Russia scales up its air strikes, according to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who made the statement at a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, The Guardian reports.
Pistorius calls on allies to help Ukraine
Pistorius called on partners to help Kyiv prepare for winter, saying the country is facing a "race against time."
"We can expect Russian air raids to increase again once temperatures drop and the damage will be even greater," the minister said.
Pistorius also warned that Ukraine’s supporters could become targets of Russia, with the aggressor state using "hybrid means" to target them.
This is being done "to sow uncertainty in order to erode our social cohesion, democratic our democratic principles and weaken our willingness to support Ukraine," he said.
In this context, Pistorius recalled a recent attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport.
However, he stressed that Germany remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine.
"These attempts will not produce the intended outcome," he said.
War has become protracted
Senior Pentagon official Elbridge Colby also warned that allies "must be prepared for a protracted conflict and for Ukraine’s requirements to persist in the months and years ahead."
"Europe’s greater assumption of responsibility for its own defence is fully consistent with a strong and viable Ukrainian defence, provided that Europe continues to act with requisite seriousness and urgency," he said.
Colby also noted that Europe "must not slacken" in its rearmament efforts.
"Support for Ukraine contributes to Europe’s security by helping to rebuild Europe’s military strength and industrial capacity. But words are not enough. Real money and industrial capacity must be put to work," he said.
Colby also said that the US is ready to continue supporting these efforts.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that at the beginning of the September 8 meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Pistorius promised to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense with various types of missiles ahead of winter.
In addition, Ukraine is receiving additional interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems through a special mechanism involving European NATO member states. This was announced by Ukraine’s Ambassador to NATO, Alyona Getmanchuk.
