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Civic Register
| 2.28.22

NATO Activates Response Force for First Time, U.S. & Allies Increase Defense Aid to Ukraine Amid Russia’s Invasion

Do you support the NATO Response Force’s activation & defense aid to Ukraine?

What’s the story?

  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced Friday that the NATO Response Force is being activated for the first time to bolster the defenses of countries on the alliance’s eastern front amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 
  • Citing Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s demand that NATO withdraws from Eastern European countries that joined NATO after the fall of the Soviet Union, Stoltenberg warned, “The Kremlin’s objectives are not limited to Ukraine.” 
  • This comes as NATO allies and other European partners are increasing shipments of anti-tank, anti-armor, ammunition, and other military equipment to Ukraine to sustain their capacity to resist Russian forces. Numerous countries announced contributions of military aid for Ukraine last week during the initial days after Russia's invasion and over the weekend.

NATO Response Force Activated

  • Elements of the 40,000 strong NATO Response Force (NRF) are being activated for deployments to Eastern Europe where they will be stationed to deter further Russian aggression against NATO member states and enhance the host nation’s defensive capabilities. The NRF was established after Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine and invaded the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine in 2014. All 30 members of the alliance agreed to activate the NRF.
  • In particular, the NRF’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) will be deployed which consists of a multinational land brigade of about 5,000 troops in addition to air, maritime, and special forces components that bring the VJTF’s total size to about 20,000 personnel. The VJTF is currently led by France and is centered on a Franco-German mechanized infantry brigade with 3,500 troops.
  • The U.S. announced the deployment of 7,000 additional troops to Germany this week, and some of those units may be attached to NRF. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Friday that up to 12,000 U.S. servicemembers have been put on “prepare to deploy” orders and may be deployed as part of the NRF or unilaterally.
  • As of Saturday, NATO hasn’t announced where the NRF units that are being activated will be deployed, although the Baltic states, Poland, Romania, or other countries along the alliance’s eastern front are likely destinations.

More Military Aid Headed to Ukraine From U.S., NATO, & Europe

  • The U.S. announced Friday that it’s sending an additional $350 million of military assistance to Ukraine, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, ammunition, and body armor for Ukrainian troops; and on Sunday it was announced the U.S. would begin delivering Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine ― a change from prior policy under which America's European allies would send Ukraine Stingers from their stockpiles and the U.S. would, in turn, replenish those stockpiles. Javelins have been used on a number of occasions to knock out Russian tanks and armored vehicles, while Stingers have shot down low-flying Russian jets and helicopters.
  • The United Kingdom is continuing to provide Ukraine with anti-tank weapons such as the NLAW, which is reportedly being used to good effect against Russian armored vehicles, in addition to ammunition and financial support.
  • Germany, which has previously blocked efforts to send lethal military aid to Ukraine, has reversed that position and will send anti-tank and anti-armor munitions to the Ukrainian military. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany will send 1,000 anti-tank weapon systems, 500 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and 400 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), in addition to the previously pledged 5,000 helmets.
  • Poland and the Baltic states ― Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania ― are continuing to send weapons including anti-tank and anti-aircraft munitions to Ukraine, in addition to ammunition and other supplies. Poland has been using its border for deliveries to Ukraine.
  • Belgium is sending Ukraine 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel, and 200 anti-tank grenade launchers.
  • The Netherlands is sending Ukraine 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and 50 Panzerfaust-3 anti-tank weapon systems with 400 rockets.
  • Slovakia is sending 12,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, 10 million liters of fuel, 2.4 million liters of aviation fuel, a pair of Bozena demining systems, and other materials to Ukraine.
  • Finland announced Sunday it will send Ukraine 2,000 bulletproof vests; 2,000 composite helmets; 100 stretchers; and equipment for two emergency medical care stations. It also granted Estonia the ability to re-export artillery guns and ammunition to Ukraine that had previously been purchased from Finland. On Monday, Finland announced it will send 2,500 assault rifles plus ammunition; 1,500 anti-tank weapons; and 70,000 combat ration packages.
  • Sweden announced Sunday that it will send Ukraine 5,000 anti-tank weapons (including NLAWS); 5,000 body shields; 5,000 helmets; and 135,000 field rations. The weapons will be the first time Sweden has sent to another country in this manner since it provided military aid to Finland during the Winter War against the Soviet Union in 1939-40.
  • Denmark announced Sunday it will donate 2,700 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine.
  • The European Union announced Sunday that it will provide Ukraine with fighter jets that will be delivered "hours" after the announcement. It will also provide financial assistance. On Monday, the EU announced that its geospatial imaging arm will share satellite images it gathers with Ukraine.
  • Norway announced Monday that it will send 2,000 M72 LAW anti-tank weapons to Ukraine.

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— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army Europe photo by Spc. Brett Hurd, 173rd Airborne Brigade, via Flickr / Public Domain)