Ramstein outcomes, new military aid packages for Ukraine, frontline update. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Ramstein meeting

The meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group was held in Brussels and was attended by representatives of 51 countries, including the United States. Despite previous statements about the possible absence of Americans, the U.S. Secretary of Defense joined the event via video link.

Why is this meeting important? 

Firstly, it focuses on stimulating and coordinating military aid to Ukraine in priority areas. Specifically, participants worked within 11 coalitions covering air defense, electronic warfare systems, and other crucial components.

Secondly, the meeting takes place amid a period when new U.S. military aid packages have not yet been announced. Ukraine is receiving weapons based on decisions made by the previous administration.

Thirdly, the Ramstein meeting followed a meeting of representatives of the 30 countries of the Coalition of the Willing, who had discussed the details of the potential deployment of a European support force in Ukraine the day before. However, the positions of the EU countries on the structure of these forces and their powers remain different, and the implementation of the plans is possible only if there is a ceasefire or truce, which currently seems unlikely.

A key factor in deploying these forces is the involvement of the United States, which is not ready to guarantee European initiatives, creating a certain zone of uncertainty within the Coalition of the Willing. The main security guarantees are the continued and expanded systemic aid to Ukraine from the U.S. and Europe, as well as support for Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces.

The meeting was preceded by a statement by the President of Ukraine about the state's readiness to purchase American weapons, including air defense systems, worth $30-50 billion. The source of funding for this purchase was not announced.

Military assistance to Ukraine

At the Ramstein meeting, European countries presented powerful military aid packages. The total amount of aid for 2025 is 21 billion euros. The largest packages were announced by the UK and Germany.

The United Kingdom has announced the supply of drones, missile systems, and mines worth $585 million. The bulk of the funding is provided by the UK, with Norway providing the rest. The aid will also be used to support British equipment already in use in Ukraine (at least 3,000 units).

Germany announced the supply of four Iris-T systems, which are short and medium-range air defense systems, along with 30 missiles for the Patriot systems. This highlights the scarcity of such weaponry. Additionally, Germany confirmed the delivery of 100,000 155mm artillery shells and 14 artillery systems, likely PzH 2000 or RCH 155. Germany also reported sending tanks and BMPs, including 25 Marder vehicles and 15 Leopard 1A5 tanks, which are already in use by Ukraine’s Armed Forces. There are even plans to enhance the armor protection of these Leopard tanks with Ukrainian solutions.

In addition, a significant supply of drones, portable air defense systems (MANPADS), and ground surveillance radar stations (RLS) is expected. This substantial package, to be implemented soon, will significantly enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, ranging from air defense to other components.

At the Ramstein meeting, Germany proposed the creation of another coalition focused on electromagnetic fields, specifically a coalition for electronic warfare (EW), which would combine the capabilities of European countries with our developments and potential. This is expected to positively impact the resilience of the Ukrainian defense system in the future.

All these reinforcements are crucial, but the main diplomacy is now on the front line, where Ukraine's Defense Forces are holding back the enemy. Military command notes that on some fronts, the enemy is preparing to intensify offensive actions. Over the past few weeks, the intensity of fighting has increased almost along the entire length of the front line.

Frontline situation: Novopavlivka direction

Yevhen Teplyk, platoon commander of the 71st Separate Airborne Jaeger brigade, which is holding the line in the Novopavlivka direction, said that the Russian troops are storming the Ukrainian positions every day, using heavy equipment, light armored vehicles and infantry assaults.

The day before, the occupants once again tried to break through in the area, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled the attack. 

 "As you can see in the video, this is one of the episodes, so to speak, of stopping their assault. Therefore, I believe we did our job well. Our intelligence works effectively. The algorithm was as follows: intelligence identified that an assault would be prepared, alerted us in advance, and provided all necessary coordinates. During the assault, our units, with the help of adjacent forces, began to repel the Russian attack. We used FPV drones, artillery, mortars, and remote mining for the defense — all these components were directed to stop the Russian advance," explained Teplyk.

Ukraine-Russia war live map, April 5-12, Photo: Espreso

According to him, the Russian forces have a significant advantage in infantry. They have a large personnel force, which they use for attempts to storm the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, Ukrainian soldiers are doing their best to repel these assaults. At night, the intensity of the attacks is lower, says Teplyk. This is because storming requires the use of equipment, which is quickly detected due to the headlights they use. However, the enemy storms both during the day and at night.

“The Russians also know how to disguise themselves. Our task is to detect it as far as possible from our positions to ensure better protection of Ukrainian forces,” he added.

“Ukrainian troops destroy about 150 Russian personnel in a week.”

The invading Russian forces use large numbers of guided bombs, artillery, and mortars every day, and this gives them a certain advantage. That is why the use of guided bombs is a constant component of the situation at the front.

“My particular unit works during the day. If there are active assaults, we try to counter them by working with FPV drones with drops. If the intensity of hostilities on our line of contact decreases, we try to use drones as a means of remote mining, thereby blocking approaches and passages to our positions,” the serviceman said.

The Russian troops also use drones for various purposes. Teplyk says that theoretically, their launch points can be detected. This is being worked on by reconnaissance, including radio reconnaissance, which can identify the target. Radio frequencies are detected, and reconnaissance also identifies Russian antennas, which the enemy may poorly camouflage, later passing the coordinates for their destruction.

Drones' effectiveness at front

The platoon commander of the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade's unmanned aerial vehicle strike team noted that each area has its own specifics. The drones purchased by the brigade or provided by the state cannot be said to be bad or not ready for work. 

“Of course, we are adapting to the current realities of war. We have our own workshop with technicians who are actively helping to modernize our drones, change control frequencies so that we can work more efficiently. In this way, we do not give the enemy the opportunity to interfere with our work. Something is always changing, and we are constantly keeping our finger on the pulse: we change control frequencies, video transmitters and video receivers so that our work is always continuous and effective,” he said.

According to him, work at the frontline always remains difficult. In particular, flying FPV drones is a more difficult task than, for example, flying Mavic. Effective use of FPV drones requires much more effort, high self-confidence and the ability to adapt to the specifics of such tasks.