NATO collects winter uniforms for the AFU from allies

Following an urgent request from Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, NATO has urged its members to provide winter uniforms for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This, according to Spiegel.

According to the newspaper, in late July, Reznikov wrote a letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in which he urged him to quickly deliver winter clothes and winter tents for 200 thousand soldiers. Since then, NATO allies have been searching their warehouses for available materials so that Ukrainians can fight the Russian occupiers despite the harsh winter.

NATO confirmed to Spiegel that the Alliance is in contact with its members to put together a winter package for Ukraine. This includes warm uniforms, winter shoes, and winter camps. A few weeks after the request from Kyiv, the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland have already promised equipment.

According to preliminary figures from NATO headquarters, about 50 percent of Ukraine's identified needs can now be covered.

Germany also wants to take part in NATO winter aid in Ukraine, the country's Defense Ministry said.

However, according to Spiegel, finding winter supplies is difficult. Military officials from various NATO countries have said that winter equipment stocks in most countries are mostly reserved for national consumption, and that winter clothing is also a desirable commodity on the world market. In the past, the Bundeswehr has repeatedly experienced problems equipping its own soldiers with warm underwear and winter uniforms for deployment on NATO's eastern flank. Consequently, the German military is quite critical of the Bundeswehr's transfer of materiel to Ukraine.

"With regard to winter equipment such as clothing, field camp materials, and food, Germany can make an important contribution in support of Ukraine's defense during the approaching winter," Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said. Details are also likely to be discussed at a meeting of countries supporting Ukraine next Thursday at the U.S. base in Ramstein.

NATO's military said sturdy winter gear is extremely important for troop morale in the fight against the Russian occupiers. Therefore NATO offered its members to replace their winter gear. For this purpose, the Alliance has a so-called trust fund of about 40 million dollars.

Author - Olena Madiak, 05/09/2022