German Foreign Minister Annalina Bierbock indicated that “during a video call with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, she assured him that the first group of 15 mobile guns of the above type would arrive in Ukraine next June”, explaining that “military assistance includes – self-propelled guns. Anti-aircraft guns “Gepard”, 59 thousand units of ammunition for these guns and training of Ukrainian military crews to operate them at the bases of the Ukrainian army, as well as the export of another 15 guns of this type to Kyiv by the end of summer.

Beerbock applauded Berlin’s decision to provide Kyiv with these defenders, stating: “We are now working together to ensure that the first 15 Chepards are ready for use by mid-June with fully trained teams.”

Russia, which continues its military operation in Ukraine, has repeatedly warned that any arms shipments to that country from abroad constitute a legitimate military target for its forces.