Swiss military expert sees Russia reinforced freighter sink between South Korea and Japan – 14 sailors salvaged

According to a Swiss military expert, Russia has overcome a phase of weakness in the war against Ukraine. “We are heading for a situation where main battle tanks play an important role in terms of defense and counter-offensives,” said Niklas Masuhr, a researcher at the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich, the German news agency. Since the fall, Russia has improved its position, including by building defensive lines.

The retrofitting of Ukrainian tanks is made more difficult because Russia has destroyed many factories and production lines for tank munitions, for example. NATO states have already made old reserves available. Accordingly, western main battle tanks such as the German-made Leopard or the US-made Abrams were now entering the picture. According to information from coalition circles, Germany approved the delivery of Leopard tanks on Tuesday evening after weeks of back and forth.

With at least 100 Western tanks, Ukraine could equip a Western-style tank brigade, Masuhr said. “But main battle tanks are not a panacea. They need to be deployed as a group and repaired and equipped with ammunition.” The expert also pointed to a logistical nightmare for Ukraine if deliveries are not properly coordinated. Even different versions of the same type meant additional challenges.

Logistics system should not be complicated

“If Ukraine wants to be able to defend itself in the longer term, it is important that the logistics system does not become too complicated,” said Masuhr. It would probably be very useful for Ukraine if Western tank parts were partly maintained and repaired outside its borders – as is already the case with artillery pieces.

On the course of the war, the military expert said: “Ukraine carried out its previous counter-offensives during Russian weak phases, especially in the fall. Since then, however, Russia has consolidated and has a steady hand at the command level.” Ukraine also cannot trust that “Russian shortcomings of the first year will necessarily be repeated.” The war has been going on since February last year. cpf/sda/dpa)