NATO Prepares Winter Military Supplies for Ukraine: Spiegel

NATO is gathering winter military uniforms and other equipment for the Ukrainian army, which is preparing for military confrontation with Russia in winter conditions. This is reported by Der Spiegel, citing sources.

In late July, according to the newspaper, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov sent a letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In the letter, he urgently called for the supply of winter clothing and tents for 200,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

As RTVI reports, following Reznikov's appeal, alliance partners began searching for available equipment in their reserves that would help Ukrainians conduct military operations during the harsh winter. NATO has confirmed to Der Spiegel that the alliance is in contact with its members regarding the preparation of a winter military assistance package for Ukraine. This specifically includes the supply of warm uniforms and winter footwear to Kyiv.

Several weeks after Reznikov's request to NATO, the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland promised to provide necessary supplies to Kyiv. However, as Der Spiegel reports, the search for winter uniforms for Ukraine has proven to be challenging.

Military officials from several NATO countries have informed the publication that the required equipment has already been earmarked for the needs of their national armed forces. Officials also noted that winter clothing is scarce in the global market. Additionally, according to Der Spiegel, the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) has repeatedly faced issues providing warm undergarments and winter uniforms for its soldiers, leading German military personnel to critically assess the question of transferring supplies to Ukrainians. Despite this, it is noted that Berlin intends to support Kyiv in the upcoming winter.