Senior German general says Ukraine should target Russian airfields

(MENAFN) A senior German general has suggested that Ukraine should consider targeting Russian airfields and weapons production facilities deep within Russian territory to reduce pressure on the front lines. Speaking on a Bundeswehr podcast on Saturday, Major General Christian Freuding, who is in charge of Germany’s military aid to Ukraine, said long-range strikes could weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities before they are deployed.

Freuding advised the Ukrainian military to "use long-range air warfare assets to strike aircraft and airfields before they are used," and to also hit weapons factories. He expressed concern that despite extensive Western sanctions, Russia has managed to ramp up production of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic systems. He suggested it may be time to reassess the effectiveness of current economic measures and explore new ways to curb Russian military production.

The general also criticized the cost-inefficiency of current air defense efforts. He pointed out that using expensive US-made Patriot missiles to shoot down relatively cheap Russian drones is not sustainable. “It’s wasteful to shoot down a drone costing €30,000–50,000 with a missile worth over €5 million,” he said, calling instead for more affordable countermeasures in the $2,180 USD - $4,360 USD range.

His comments come amid ongoing debates over Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range weapons. While the Biden administration previously allowed limited strikes inside Russia using American arms, Kiev has so far been restricted from targeting major Russian airfields.

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