Germany, shadow deliveries for Ukraine: 500 Antonov-196 drones with a 1,200-kilometer range
Ukrainian soldiers from a fiber optical drone unit of the 93 Brigade Test UAVs before leaving on the front line, in the Donetk region of Ukraine, on June 17, 2025 Photo: Jose Colon / AFP / Profimedia
Germany has begun to finance long -range weapon systems for the defense of Ukraine. According to an article published in the German Conservative Daidian Die Welt, an initial contract was signed for the financing of the construction of over 500 long-range drones Antonov-196, writes the DPA press agency on Tuesday.
These Kamikaze drones have a range of 1,200 kilometers and transport an explosive load of 50 kilograms. This makes them suitable for attacking the so-called “lighter” targets, at longer distances, which are not particularly protected, including warehouses and fuel tanks.
The Berlin Defense Ministry has not confirmed what is funded by Germany. The German government has changed its communication policy and invokes the need for secret regarding the military aid granted to the country devastated by the war.
In mid -June, the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski confirmed to Kiev that Germany and Ukraine want to engage together in the production of long -range weapons. Drones, cruise missiles and artillery missiles were mentioned.
Armament systems are to be manufactured later in both countries. It is expected that later, the German armed forces could be equipped more and more with the capabilities of the program, according to the article in Die Welt.
The head of German diplomacy, on secret visit to Odessa
On Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeph was on a secret visit to the Oport Odessa city, southern Ukraine.
The minister arrived by car from Kiev in the city of the Black Sea, being accompanied by a small delegation, for security reasons, the port being a key target for rocket and drones launched by Russia, DPA and Agerpres reported.
Wadeph was also accompanied by his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sîbiga.
Due to the threat of Russian attacks, the visit was kept secret until Wadeph left for the Republic of Moldova.
With about one million inhabitants, Odessa is the third largest city in Ukraine, after Kiev and Kharkov.
His oil refineries, chemical and metal processing industries and its importance as a transport center made the city of Port Odessa a key target of Russian ballistic missiles launched from the Crimea Peninsula.
On Saturday, two people were killed in a drone attack on a block in Odessa, and another 14 were injured.
Wadeph's visit took place one day after making his first visit to the capital of Ukraine since he took over the external portfolio last month. The minister promised close cooperation in the field of defense between Germany and Ukraine.
Berlin is one of the main supporters of Kiev in the defense of the country against the Russian invasion.
