Germany sends drones to Ukraine

Germany is ready to send unarmed drones to Ukraine to monitor the situation in the Donbas. The ability to monitor their involvement will be checked by Bundeswehr soldiers.

Germany is ready to send drones [unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV] to Ukraine to monitor the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine. On Tuesday, September 16 [today], 14 Bundeswehr soldiers will be arriving in Ukraine who will explore the possibility of drone participation in the OSCE mission, reports Deutsche Welle with reference to the Ministry of Defence of Germany. German soldiers under this project will collaborate with French experts. In addition to experts that specialize in drones, the group also includes logistics, technical and medical staff. The study will last three to five days, according to a statement published on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Germany. The experts will define on the ground how many employees should be involved in the use of the unmanned aircraft–type Luna, what protective measures need to be carried out, and what kind of medical and logistical support is needed. The study will take place under the guidance and with the support of the OSCE.  

As previously reported, the OSCE international monitoring observers are planning to apply for unmanned reconnaissance aircraft for Eastern Ukraine. On Saturday, September 13, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and OSCE Chairman Didier Burkhalter had a telephone conversation on the situation of the ceasefire in Donbas and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Poroshenko gave permission to use OSCE drones and Burkhalter promised to deliver them to Ukraine in the near future. On Monday, September 15, Foreign Minister of Austria Sebastian Kurz said that Austria is planning to provide 10 Austrian drones for the OSCE mission. The unarmed UAV Luna is just 2.36 meters long, weighs 40 pounds and can transmit video images and infrared camera recordings to a ground station in real time. Source: Deutsche Welle Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine