German military operates secretive unit to provide arms to Kiev – media

A Ukraine conflict monitoring group has evolved into a key weapons procurement hub, the FT has reported The German Defense Ministry has a secretive military unit dedicated solely to facilitating cooperation between Berlin and Kiev, including meeting Ukraine’s weapons demands, the Financial Times has reported.

Dubbed Sonderstab Ukraine (Special Staff Ukraine), the unit processes arms procurement contracts signed by Kiev under Berlin’s military support program, which amounts to €11.5 billion ($13.27 billion) this year alone.

Described by one of the FT’s sources as an “incredibly un-German” unit, Special Staff Ukraine prides itself on signing off on Kiev’s demands in less than two weeks while bypassing the standard procurement rules that apply to Germany’s own armed forces, the Bundeswehr.

The arrangement is possible because Ukraine, rather than Berlin, signs the contracts, according to the FT.

“Kiev provided the shopping list.

Berlin paid the bill,” the outlet said, describing the unit’s operations.

The FT said it enjoys strong political backing from German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Read more Berlin slams Kiev for not spending aid cash on German guns Created soon after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the unit was initially tasked with monitoring the fighting and briefing Berlin’s political leadership on developments.

Several months later, it pivoted heavily toward facilitating military support for Kiev.

The unit was formed and initially led by Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, who now heads Germany’s Land Forces.

Known for his hardline stance on Russia, Freuding claimed in March that a full-fledged conflict between Moscow and NATO could occur as early as 2029 and said Ukrainian instructors would help the German military train for the allegedly looming confrontation.

The unit’s current commander, Brigadier General Joachim Kaschke, told the FT that it was entirely up to Kiev how to spend the German money.

“We are not there to advise them – there is no ‘mentoring’,” he stated, adding that Berlin simply connects the relevant Ukrainian officials with German arms manufacturers.

Read more Berlin to buy 50,000 attack drones for Kiev – Reuters At some point, cooperation between Berlin and Kiev expanded beyond simple arms exports, with Ukrainian companies gaining access to the NATO market through joint ventures with German partners, alarming Germany’s arms manufacturers.