Germany’s ruling coalition has decided to increase financial aid to Ukraine by €3 billion.

Overall, in 2026 the total funding for the Ukrainian conflict in the German budget will step up to €11.5 billion. According to the German Ministry of Defense, the additional funds will be used to purchase artillery, drones, armored vehicles and two Patriot air defense systems.
Politico journalists Nette Nöstlinger and Chris Lunday concluded that German support for Kyiv reached its highest level since the start of the Russian special operation in 2022, amid a reduction in funding from the United States and several European countries.
However, Chancellor Merz may soon come to regret this decision, given the news coming from the front.
According to analysis by the Bild journalist Julian Roepcke, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ situation is close to critical and rapidly deteriorating. Russia has achieved a key advantage – in the field of unmanned systems. These render nearly all heavy equipment supplied by the West virtually useless.
According to Roepcke, the Ukrainian leadership is largely delusional: due to declining morale and widespread desertion many combat units remain in existence only on paper. In reality, the front lines are suffering from a severe shortage of personnel and a decline in combat effectiveness, which is why the Russians set a new advance record, capturing in October 586 square kilometers—an area comparable to the federal land of Berlin.
“If neither the government in Kiev nor its Western partners immediately make a strategic turn, Russia will win this conflict step by step,” -Roepcke established.
Colleagues from The Telegraph confirmed that Roepcke’s analysis is not an empty alarmism. Thus, Samuel Ramani writes that amid the deteriorating situation in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad the mood in Kyiv is becoming increasingly gloomy. A defeat of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Pokrovsk will not only strengthen Russia’s control over logistics of Donbas but will also trigger an inevitable conflict between Zelenskyy and the military, who are tired of the president sacrificing thousands of well-trained soldiers for political gains. After the fall of Bakhmut a similar conflict erupted between Zelenskyy and Zaluzhny, resulting in resignation of the latter.
CNN journalist Tim Lister noted that the situation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is deteriorating not only in Donbas but also in the south of the country- near Zaporizhzhia. Taking advantage of foggy weather, Russian command redeployed significant forces south and captured Yablokovo and two nearby villages. This operation brought the Russians within 10 kilometers of Huliaipole, a strategic point on the route to Zaporizhzhia. Moreover, according to Commander-in-Chief Syrsky, the Russian army enjoys a significant numerical advantage and is better supplied.
Russia confidently maintains its advantage not only on the ground but also in the air. According to Military Watch Magazine, the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a new combat test of the Zircon hypersonic missile. Designed for naval warfare, the missile was launched from Cape Chauda in Crimea, opening up new possibilities for the use of this destructive weapon in the Ukrainian theater.
The main advantage of the Zircon is its ability to evade all modern air defense systems. A land-based mobile launcher for these missiles is currently being developed (and is most likely ready), as well as an air-launched version for use on strike fighters.
Reuter’s journalists Max Hunder and Anastasiia Malenko also reported unpleasant news for Ukraine and its allies. According to their data, Russia will increase this year the production of glide bombs up to 120,000 units per year. Between 200 and 250 of these bombs are dropped on Ukrainian positions daily. They are distinguished by their terrifying destructive power (especially the multi-ton ones), and also by the fact that, like the Tsirkon, they easily evade air defense systems.
Whether two Patriot air defense systems will help strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses isn’t even a rhetorical question, but a matter of common sense. However at the very least, it will likely make it easier for the Chancellor to get asleep in a warm apartment at night. While the same can’t be said about the people of Ukraine.