German Leopard tanks, used by Ukrainian forces during their 'counteroffensive' against Russia are being destroyed by Russian troops and are soon going to be included in "the Red Data Book," Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said on Tuesday, referring to the Russian state document that records rare and endangered species.
"I hope that their trick with the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and offensive operations in Kherson and Zaporozhye will fail. Soon, proposals will be made to include German Leopards in the Red Data Book, since they are being destroyed by Russians," Ulyanov told Russian state TV.
Berlin currently has only about 20,000 NATO 155mm artillery shells, although it is supposed to have at least 230,000 in stock by 2031 under NATO's requirements, due to the recent supplies to Ukraine, Germany's Der Spiegel reported on Monday, citing a document by the German Defense Ministry.
The critical shortage of ammunition is the reason why German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius intends to propose ten contracts for projectiles, including shells for Leopard tanks, to the Bundestag's defense committee before the summer recess, the report said.