Moscow's primary airport is grounded by Ukrainian drone disruptions
In the midst of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Germany has announced a significant military commitment to Lithuania. The deployment of a German brigade, comprising around 5,000 military personnel and civilian staff, is planned to be stationed in Lithuania by 2026, with full operational capability expected by 2027.
The permanent base for this brigade is situated near Rudninkai and Rukla, close to Lithuania’s border with Belarus, approximately 20 kilometers away. This move is seen as a symbolic and strategic gesture, demonstrating Germany’s and NATO’s shared responsibility to defend Lithuania, which is equivalent to defending Europe and its values.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasised that this deployment is a "long-term promise" and a clear message to Russia that Germany is committed to Lithuania's security. The move marks the first time since the Nazi era that German troops have been stationed in a foreign country, underscoring the seriousness of the commitment.
Beyond the brigade deployment, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have visited Lithuanian units, emphasising the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank in response to the Russian threat. This military support for Lithuania is part of Germany's broader strategy to support Ukraine and exert pressure on Russia amid ongoing conflicts and regional security challenges.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the situation remains volatile. At least four people were killed in Russian loitering munition and drone attacks in the Donetsk region. Several impacts were reported in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv from Russian drone attacks overnight, with an eight-year-old boy dying when a drone hit a car in the northeastern region. Ukrainian authorities reported that two civilians died in Kostyantynivka when a bomb was dropped on a construction site, and ten minutes later, a drone hit a car with a couple inside.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has assured Lithuania of Germany's support in defending its freedom. The West is providing support to Ukraine, including weapons, and Ukraine has launched an attack on a Russian military airport in the Voronezh region, where Russian fighter jets are believed to be stationed.
The consequences of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine are still being felt, and the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, hopes for further military support from Germany, especially air defense systems and Taurus cruise missiles. The Ukrainian air defense had already reported more than 160 drone and missile attacks across the country earlier in the morning.
For those seeking current news and backgrounds on the war, all information can be found on the website. The podcast "What to do, Mr. General?" discusses the Ukraine war, and the latest episode is titled "#275 Where we stand in the Ukraine war." The US President Donald Trump has indicated his readiness to escalate sanctions against Russia in response to the attack, but so far, he has refrained from imposing new penalties on Moscow.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-to-station-brigade-lithuania-nato-eastern-flank-2022-08-29/ [2] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-station-brigade-in-lithuania-as-part-of-nato-commitment/a-62352889 [3] https://www.dw.com/en/german-troops-to-be-stationed-in-lithuania-as-part-of-nato-commitment/a-62352889 [4] https://www.dw.com/en/german-troops-to-be-stationed-in-lithuania-as-part-of-nato-commitment/a-62352889
- This military commitment by Germany in Lithuania, a part of their broader strategy to support Ukraine, indicates their involvement in the general news and political arena, particularly in context of war-and-conflicts and regional security challenges.
- The deployment of German soldiers stationed in Lithuania for military purposes, as reported, marks a significant shift in sports and politics, as it is the first time since the Nazi era that German troops are stationed in a foreign country, underscoring the weight of the ongoing war and conflicts.
