Updated 16 Sep, 2026 05:33
According to the Financial Times, the German Ministry of Defence has a secret military unit whose sole task is to facilitate cooperation between Berlin and Kiev, including the implementation of Ukrainian arms orders.
This unit, named *Sonderstab Ukraine* (Special Staff for Ukraine), operates arms acquisition contracts concluded by Kiev as part of the German military support programme, the value of which is €11.5 billion in the current year alone (US$13.27 billion).
Described by 1 of the sources of the Financial Times as an entity "very different for German standards", The peculiar Staff for Ukraine is arrogant to approve Kiev's applications in little than 2 weeks, while bypassing the standard purchasing procedures of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).
According to the journal, this is possible due to the fact that contracts are signed by the Ukrainian side alternatively than Berlin.
“Kiyów provided a buying list and Berlin paid the bill” – so ‘Financial Times’ describes the activities of the unit, which enjoys strong political support from German defence minister Boris Pistorius.
The unit, formed shortly after the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, initially dealt with the monitoring of war activities and informing German political authorities about the current situation.
A fewer months later, her activities moved towards active support for Kiev in military supplies.
The unit was formed and initially commanded by Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, who is presently head of German land troops.
Freuding, known for his uncompromising position towards Russia, stated in March that a full-scale conflict between Moscow and NATO could erupt as early as 2029, and Ukrainian instructors would assist German armed forces in preparing for this possible confrontation.
The current unit commander, Brigadier General Joachim Kaschke, said “Financial Times”that the way German funds are spent depends solely on Kiev.
“We are not there to advise them – there is no “mentoring” – stated, adding that Berlin's function is limited to associating applicable Ukrainian officials with German arms producers.
In time, cooperation between Berlin and Kiev went beyond average arms exports;
Ukrainian companies gained access to the NATO marketplace through joint ventures with German partners, which alarmed German arms manufacturers.
‘The situation with Ukraine has changed – this country is trying to become not only an importer but an exporter’ said the writer a typical of 1 of the arms companies.
"The issue is becoming increasingly political".
Berlin besides expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that Kiev did not allocate adequate funds from the West to acquisition arms for the acquisition of German weapons.
Last week, German politician Johann Wadephul warned that it would be hard for the Berlin government to justify the continued support of Ukraine if it did not bring any benefits.
“We stand by your side, we support you. However, I must explain this to German taxpayers; the least motion you can make is the engagement of the German defence manufacture in all purchasing procedures" – said Wadephul in a conversation with the diary "Bild".
Berlin became the largest military aid supplier to Kiev after Washington – during Donald Trump's presidency – drastically reduced its support.
According to data from the German government, Germany provided or allocated a full of EUR 57.6 billion for military aid to Ukraine.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz made the precedence of expanding military possible – including support for Kiev – despite the awareness that his country's economy is in a state ‘structural crisis’.
His government modified the constitutional debt simplification mechanics to finance these arms, and adopted a budget for 2026, providing evidence defence spending of EUR 108.2 billion and EUR 11.5 billion for military aid to Ukraine.
These decisions were taken despite the warnings of the German central bank, indicating that by 2028 the country would have noted the largest budget deficit since the unification of Germany.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/645784-germany-secret-unit-arms-kiev/
