West tries to keep Ukrainian war machine running: winter uniforms to battlefield

Lithuania this week joined the nations trying to keep Ukraine’s war machine running during the winter months, when temperatures can drop to 15 degrees below zero. The Baltic state announced that it would buy millions of euros of warm clothing from Lithuanian companies. “This means that an estimated 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers can be provided with winter clothing,” Defense Minister Arvydas Anusaukas said on Tuesday.

In recent weeks, the US and Spain, among others, also decided to send winter clothing to Ukraine. The Pentagon included the clothing in a $600 million military package, which also included ammunition, radars and mines. Spain sent five planes full of artillery ammunition to the area, as well as all kinds of cold-weather equipment. “This is an example of Spain’s determined and constant support for the Ukrainian people,” Defense Minister Margarita Robles said.

As the Russian army prepares to send the additional 300 thousand mobilized soldiers to the battlefield and Ukraine continues to go on the offensive, both armies must also prepare for the turning point. Tens of thousands of shells for the howitzers and missile systems are desperately needed to keep up the fight, but just as crucial will be warm uniforms, rain gear, boots and thermal shirts, pants and underwear for the soldiers.

Dutch style overcoat

“Winter is approaching, the situation will be very difficult,” said NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg at the beginning of this month, when he called on member states to provide the Ukrainian army with more winter gear. “Because the size of the Ukrainian army has grown so much, they need more winter equipment,” Stoltenberg said. Under the leadership of the United Kingdom, the Member States are now trying to supply tens of thousands of uniforms, among other things.

“Thank you for the Dutch-style overcoat with my name on it: winter is coming,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov joked at the beginning of this month, when he was presented with a warm coat from his Dutch colleague Kajsa Ollongren. Because the Netherlands refuses to say exactly what it supplies Ukraine in terms of weapons and other items, it is not clear whether The Hague has also responded to Stoltenberg’s urgent appeal. So far, the Netherlands has already sent 223 million euros worth of military goods to Kyiv.

Other member states have no trouble voicing what they give the Ukrainian army. For example, Lithuanian minister Anusaukas proudly announced the purchase of the thousands of winter uniforms in parliament on Tuesday. The US plans to hit the ground running again soon, at the next meeting of the international coalition assisting Kyiv, to send more winter gear.

muddy area

“We will again fight for this,” a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday. “A significant effort is being made to provide a whole range of cold weather equipment. This should ensure that the Ukrainians will have everything they need this winter.’ The Biden administration has already supplied the Ukrainian military with $16.1 billion worth of military equipment.

On the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, the weather is already turning, now that autumn has arrived. There is plenty of rain, making the area very muddy. This is disadvantageous for both armies, because it becomes more difficult to advance with heavy equipment, such as tanks and armored cars. “Mobility will be especially difficult around November,” the Pentagon official said. “It will be very difficult for both sides to fight on.”