German defense minister warns of Russian weapon stockpiling

On September 9, 2026, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that Russia is producing weaponry significantly beyond the requirements of its current war in Ukraine. Addressing the German parliament, Pistorius stated that Moscow is allocating a substantial portion of its national budget to replenish military stockpiles rather than deploying all manufactured armaments to the front lines, signaling preparations for potential future conflicts.

Providing specific evidence, Pistorius noted that Russia currently possesses the capacity to produce 150 short- and medium-range missiles per month. However, he emphasized that only an average of 80 of these missiles are being deployed to the Ukrainian conflict zone. The minister argued that this discrepancy in production versus deployment serves as a clear indication that the Russian leadership is prioritizing long-term military buildup and the replenishment of its reserves for future geopolitical confrontations.