Norway's secret service

Russian military gains the upper hand in the war

Russian soldiers in Ukraine

(Bild: AP/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service)

The Russian military is currently gaining the upper hand in the war in Ukraine. This has now been reported by the Norwegian secret service. Larger troop reserves and material support from countries such as China and North Korea are contributing to this.

The Ukrainian military will need "substantial" Western military aid in order to possibly turn the situation around, said the head of military intelligence, Nils Andreas Stensönes, on Monday. "In this war, Russia is currently in a stronger position than a year ago and is about to gain an advantage." The Kremlin can mobilize "about three times as many troops as Ukraine", said Stensönes. The country is adapting to the sanctions "better than expected" and the industry is able to produce enough "ammunition, combat vehicles, drones and missiles."

Moscow can mobilize around three times as many troops as Ukraine.

Nils Andreas Stensönes, Leiter des norwegischen Nachrichtendiensts

Support from Iran, Belarus and North Korea
According to Stensönes, the Russian military receives support from Iran, Belarus and North Korea. According to his findings, China does not supply weapons, but "machines, vehicles, electronics and spare parts" that are useful for the Russian arms industry.

Norway's government wants to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Europe "must be prepared to take on more responsibility in order to guarantee its own security and that of its allies." Since the Russian attack on Ukraine almost two years ago, the US government has been the biggest supporter. However, a bill for billions more in aid is currently stuck in Congress.

Ukraine wants to produce drones
Thousands of drones with a longer range are to be produced in Ukraine itself this year, said Digitalization Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Up to ten companies could currently produce drones that could reach targets in Moscow and St. Petersburg. "The category of long-range kamikaze drones is growing. Two years ago, this category didn't even exist."