Ukraine deputy minister says Russian war machine slowing

VILNIUS - Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Mstyslav Banik said on Monday that Russia's war machine was slowing and could reach a point of no return on the battlefield this year.

"Today, Ukraine is gaining more and more momentum. The Russian combat machine is slowing down. This year we can reach a point where Russia simply will not have the opportunity to recover," Banik told the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's spring session in Vilnius.

The deputy minister, speaking via video link, drew on his experience as a former head of a drone capability team, noting that Ukraine has a deep understanding of the battlefield that allows it to align decisions with troop requirements.

He said the priorities for ensuring Ukraine's defence remain unchanged: drones, missiles, air defence, artillery and ammunition.

According to Banik, Ukrainian industry has the capacity to produce 20 million drones and other weapons a year. He noted that opportunities have been opened for small companies and startups to participate in the sector.

However, he stressed that allied support remains essential. According to the deputy minister, Ukraine needs about 155 billion dollars for defence needs this year, of which more than 60 billion dollars consists of bilateral support from allies, including Lithuania.

At the same time, Banik said only 24 billion dollars worth of weaponry and ammunition is currently on the delivery schedule out of a promised 39 billion dollars.

The deputy minister added that European countries are unable to provide the necessary weaponry in the short term, leaving the US as one of the most important suppliers.

"Ukraine has very unique experience, and we are ready to share it. Our technologies are not only being tested on the front line, they are being created there. We are ready to share them with partners, and such cooperation would be mutually beneficial. Ultimately, Ukraine will win, but we need the appropriate tools and speed," Banik said.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.