Strv122 tank [version locale du Leopard 2]Archer howitzers, CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles, air defense systems, individual equipment, ammunition… The military assistance that Sweden provided to Ukraine was already considerable, especially given the availability of its armed forces and, above all, its own security problems.
As of February 20, the amount was approximately 22 billion Swedish krona [soit 2,6 milliards d’euros]. But with the release of a new “package” it has just taken on a different dimension. [le quinzième depuis février 2022]worth an unprecedented 7.1 billion crowns [634 millions d’euros].
“The reason we continue to support Ukraine is a matter of humanity and decency. “Russia has started an illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war,” argued Pål Jonson. the Swedish Defense Minister during a press conference.
But as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated at his daily briefing on February 19, the situation on the front lines is currently very complicated, especially after Russian troops took control of the city of Avdiivka.
The Ukrainian army is “in difficulties at several points on the front line, where Russian troops have concentrated maximum reserves. […] They are taking advantage of the delay in aid to Ukraine,” said Zelensky, who continues to demand artillery ammunition, air defense systems and long-range weapons.
However, with the United States currently unable to support Kiev as it did in the past due to a deadlock in Congress, it is up to European countries to equip Ukrainian forces with the capabilities they need… or at least partially .
In any case, the Swedish Ministry of Defense stated that the equipment and ammunition it was preparing for shipment to Ukraine would likely meet the needs expressed by Kiev. Delivery of 155mm grenades [pour 2 milliards de couronnes] represents about a third of the aid just released by Stockholm. There is also talk of funding that will enable the Ukrainian armed forces to procure additional CV-90s.
Today Sweden announced the largest support package to date for Ukraine. Package 15 will be worth SEK 7.1 billion (~$683 million), bringing the total value of military aid to Ukraine to SEK 30 billion. (~$2.9 billion). Ongoing support is critical for both 🇺🇦 and 🇸🇪 security. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/bq5slCIGxf
– Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) February 20, 2024
According to Mr Jonson's explanations, this new aid package will “add around 1 billion Swedish krona to the joint purchase of CV-90 with Denmark for Ukraine”. And added: “This means that Sweden and Denmark will jointly invest 4 billion crowns to achieve this goal.”
But an equally important part of this help [1,1 milliard de couronnes] affects thirty boats, including ten Combat Boat 90 [ou CB90] and twenty group boats [ou G-Boat]These are landing craft that can carry up to eight equipped soldiers in shallow waters.
The Combat Boat 90 is a very fast boat [40 noeuds] and very maneuverable, capable of transporting half a platoon of infantry [soit 18 hommes]. Like the G-Boat, it can navigate in shallow water. Which suggests that the Ukrainian army intends to use them for riverine operations…
In this regard, the Russian army confirmed on February 20 that it had just captured the town of Krynky on the occupied bank of the Dnieper, exactly where Ukrainian marines struggled to establish a bridgehead last summer.
However, Mr Jonson reiterated that Sweden “will remain by Ukraine’s side for as long as necessary”. And insist: “Ukraine defends not only its own freedom, but also the freedom of all of Europe.” Russia must not win this war. »
Photo: Arco Ardon – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0