In September, Germany will hand over new packages of aid to Ukraine aimed at strengthening its air defense system. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Telegram post, as reported by RBC-Ukraine. According to him, the deliveries will form part of the ongoing support for Ukraine's defense system against Russian attacks and come against a backdrop of sharply increased drone activity over the country's territory.
Zelensky's Conversation with Merz
Zelensky said he had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. During the talk, the two sides discussed a number of issues related to bilateral cooperation in the security sphere, including the response to the recent incident involving a Russian attack on an airfield in Leipzig, as well as the state of preparation of a joint agreement on countering drones.
Attack on the Airfield in Leipzig
The Ukrainian president described the incident as yet another manifestation of Russian escalation and noted the German side's response. According to him, Merz informed him of the measures Germany had already taken in connection with the incident. For his part, Zelensky stated Kyiv's readiness to provide Berlin with the necessary assistance, taking into account Ukraine's experience and expertise in countering drone threats.
Drone Deal: Finalizing the Agreement
Particular attention during the conversation was given to the so-called Drone Deal. According to Zelensky, the teams of the two countries are already finalizing the text of the agreement. He emphasized that the document should expand the capabilities for defending both Ukraine and Germany. The sides also discussed the content of the future agreement and the timing of its signing, and additionally agreed to hold an in-person meeting.
New Air Defense Packages in September
Zelensky thanked the German Chancellor for supporting Ukraine and for taking a leading role in the question of protecting the lives of Ukrainians. "There will be new air defense packages from Germany this month," the president stated, emphasizing the importance of continued German assistance in strengthening air defense.
Context: The Rise in Drone Attacks in August
It is worth recalling that at the end of August, Russian forces significantly increased the number of drone launches over Ukrainian territory. In four days, approximately 1,500 drones were used, of which around 800 were jet-powered "Shaheds." Against this backdrop, Ukraine's air defense system faces the task of improving its effectiveness against such targets during the autumn period, which is what determines the urgency of the new deliveries from Germany.
