NATO general: “I see no signs of waning support” as Ukraine’s 2% drone force inflicts half of Russian losses

Major General Maik Keller, deputy commander of NATO's support headquarters for Ukraine, told German outlet WELT he sees no indication that Western commitment to Kyiv is fading—even as the war stretches past its third year with no end in sight.

"From my perspective, I see no signs of a waning of support for Ukraine," Keller said. "An end to the war is not currently foreseeable. This makes the West's long-term commitment all the more crucial."

Keller coordinates military aid to Ukraine from NSATU headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, where around 350 soldiers from 31 nations—including NATO partners Australia, New Zealand, and potentially Japan—synchronize weapons deliveries, repairs, logistics, and training.

The machinery of sustained support

The scale of Western assistance defies "Ukraine fatigue" narratives. At Poland's Logistics Enabling Node alone, roughly 18,000 tons of material flow through monthly—by road, air, and rail. Since 2022, nearly 70,000 separate material movements have passed through this single hub.

NATO's PURL funding mechanism keeps the pipeline flowing. Several European states collectively pool 2 billion euros per month, divided into 500-million-euro packages, to finance US-supplied equipment for Ukraine.

"This is currently running smoothly, but it requires constant effort to mobilize funding and adjust many small parameters to ensure a continuous flow," Keller explained.

Germany has transformed from a hesitant early supporter to one of Ukraine's most critical backers. The Patriot air defense systems Berlin has provided are "invaluable," Keller said. Germany now hosts NSATU headquarters.

Ukraine's drone force punches far above its weight

Perhaps the most striking revelation: Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Force comprises just 2% of the country's armed forces yet accounts for an estimated 30 to 50% of Russian losses.

"This illustrates the scale of the problem," Keller said.

The secret behind Ukraine's drone dominance isn't traditional military training. Many operators are DJs, gamers, or members of the digital community who bring unconventional thinking to the battlefield. Innovation cycles are brutal—new developments emerge every two to three weeks, sometimes requiring fresh training cycles after a single leave from the front.

"Ukraine faces a numerically superior enemy and has held its ground for years," Keller noted. "This is due to Western support, but also to its own will and its ability to adapt extremely quickly."

Heavy battle tanks and large armored formations no longer carry the significance they did in earlier wars. Anything moving roughly 20 kilometers in front of or behind the front line gets detected and engaged.

Building Ukrainian self-reliance

Western stockpiles are largely depleted—the predictable result of 20 to 25 years of neglecting national and collective defense in favor of other priorities. The logical path forward: maximize production inside Ukraine.

Germany is already financing long-range drone production in Ukraine. Joint ventures between German and Ukrainian companies are multiplying, covering both repair and manufacturing. Ukraine ranks among the world's most capable players in drone technology.

"This strengthens Ukraine's resilience—and simultaneously serves our own defense capabilities," Keller said.

Some weapons Ukraine received—like the Leopard 1A5 tank and Gepard anti-aircraft system—were already retired from Western arsenals. Spare parts for these phased-out systems are increasingly hard to find. Ukraine must produce these components domestically, with Western technical support and licensing agreements enabling the transition.

The strategic message to Moscow

Keller emphasized that no single "wonder weapon" will decide the war. What matters is a constant flow of materials and reliable prospects for Ukraine.

"That would also send a clear signal to Moscow that a war of aggression doesn't pay off in the long run," he said.

The message is plain: NATO's support infrastructure isn't winding down. It's institutionalizing.