Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"It is not yet too late to turn the tide... Ukrainians need their own air power as well as high precision long-range artillery... and they must be allowed to do both without strings attached in order to make Russia's control over occupied territories untenable."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:29⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his Ukraine War Update News video for 23/04/2024. He starts by referring to a breaking news piece from that morning and jokes that the date of the video coincides with St George's Day - "the english national day" before quickly moving on to discuss UK Aid.
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UK announces largest ever military aid package totalling £500m/$617m
🎦 00:29-04:08⏩
Jonathan discusses the contents of the UK's new military aid package for Ukraine. He highlights that it includes:
- Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles
- Martlet and Starstreak Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS)
- 60 boats, including offshore raiding craft and dive boats, as well as maritime guns
- 400 vehicles, including 160 Husky MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected), 162 armoured vehicles, and 78 all-terrain vehicles
- Nearly 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition
Jonathan believes that the Storm Shadow missiles are the most significant item in the package, as Ukraine is in desperate need of them. He explains that other countries could supply the vehicles if the UK focused on providing more Storm Shadow and air defence missiles.
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Analysis of Viewer Question: Is the UK doing enough to help Ukraine?
🎦 04:08-13:30⏩
Jonathan addresses a viewer comment from "OregPrankster", who questioned whether the UK's £500 million aid package is sufficient compared to the US's pledge of $61 billion. Jonathan acknowledges that it's easy to perceive a disparity, but argues that a nuanced analysis is necessary. He provides a breakdown of aid contributions, emphasizing that the UK has actually contributed over £9 billion to date, which is a significant sum considering the country's smaller population and economy compared to the US. Jonathan argues that it's crucial to consider aid as a percentage of GDP for a more accurate comparison. He uses the example of Estonia, which has given 4.1% of its GDP to Ukraine, significantly more than the US's 0.31%. He emphasizes that the EU has given the most aid overall (approximately $144 billion), including the €50 billion package agreed upon in February. Jonathan concludes by emphasizing that while more aid is always welcome, it's vital to acknowledge the efforts of all contributing countries, particularly the EU.
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US Congressman: Military aid deliveries to Ukraine will happen faster than anyone thinks
🎦 13:30-14:53⏩
Jonathan highlights positive news from Kyiv, where US Congressman Keating, part of a bipartisan group that visited Ukraine, stated that the speed of upcoming weapons deliveries will be astonishingly fast. Keating reassures that the arms will arrive sooner than anyone expects and emphasizes the importance of maintaining secrecy regarding the schedule to avoid jeopardizing war strategies.
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New York Post calls on Biden to increase military support for Ukraine
🎦 14:53-22:31⏩
Jonathan discusses a New York Post article that, despite the publication's usual Republican alignment, strongly advocates for increased US military support for Ukraine. He praises the article for its powerful messaging, noting its significance in resonating with Republican readers who may hold differing views on foreign policy. The article urges Biden to expedite the delivery of crucial weaponry to Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. It argues that the US should adopt a more proactive approach, shedding its fear of Russian escalation and providing Ukraine with the necessary tools to achieve a decisive victory. Jonathan commends the New York Post for publishing such a compelling piece, emphasizing its potential to sway public opinion and influence US policy toward greater support for Ukraine.
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Ukraine Military Aid Updates: ATACMS, Patriot Systems and more
🎦 22:31-26:51⏩
Jonathan covers a range of military aid updates, including:
- ATACMS for Ukraine: Zelensky confirmed agreements have been reached regarding ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) provision, although specific details are yet to be released.
- Patriot Negotiations: Ukraine is in negotiations to receive four Patriot air defence system batteries. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that discussions are ongoing with the US and other relevant countries, indicating a potential increase in air defence support.
- German and Swedish Patriot Support: Germany is pushing for the delivery of at least one more Patriot system to Ukraine and urging European allies, including France and Italy, to assess their potential contributions. Meanwhile, Sweden's Defence Minister hasn't ruled out sending Patriots to Ukraine, indicating a willingness to strengthen Ukrainian air defence capabilities.
Lockheed Martin agreement with Spain to increase PAC-3 Missile Production
🎦 26:51-28:51⏩
Jonathan discusses Lockheed Martin's recent agreement with Spanish company Grupo Oesia, which will enable licensed production of certain components for the PAC-3 MSE missile, a key component of the Patriot air defence system. Jonathan highlights the importance of this development for two key reasons:
- Increased Production Capacity: This partnership aims to expand the production capacity of these crucial missiles, addressing potential bottlenecks arising from high global demand and significant deliveries to Ukraine.
- Potential Cost Reduction: By introducing competition to the supply chain, Lockheed Martin's move could help drive down the cost of these expensive missiles, making them more accessible to Ukraine and other countries seeking to bolster their air defence capabilities.
EU Military Aid Updates: Artillery Ammunition, MRAP Delivery Delays
🎦 28:51-29:47⏩
Jonathan discusses further EU military aid updates:
- Artillery Ammunition Deliveries: Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, confirmed that the delivery of artillery ammunition procured through joint EU efforts is scheduled to begin in late May or early June. This development is expected to provide much-needed support for Ukraine's artillery operations.
- German MRAP Delivery Delays: Germany's pledge to deliver 400 FFG MRAPs to Ukraine has encountered delays due to US export license restrictions and mine-protection certification issues. Although initially planned for 2024, the number of vehicles to be delivered this year has been reduced to 100. Despite these setbacks, the delivery of the remaining 300 vehicles is expected to commence in June 2024 and be completed within the year.
Hungary Blocks EU Aid, Danish Demining Machines & Next Ramstein Meeting
🎦 29:47-36:04⏩
Jonathan covers various updates related to the Russia-Ukraine war, including:
- Hungarian Aid Blockage: Hungary has announced that it will block the EU's €2 billion military aid package to Ukraine unless it receives guarantees that Hungarian companies will be removed from Ukraine's blacklist. This move highlights Hungary's complex relationship with both the EU and Russia.
- Danish Demining Machines: Germany has financed at least two GCS-200 demining machines for the Danish Refugee Council to assist with demining efforts in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions of Ukraine.
- Upcoming Ramstein Meeting: The next Ramstein Contact Group meeting, focused on coordinating military aid to Ukraine, is scheduled for April 26th, 2024. The Netherlands has confirmed its participation in several initiatives, including the Czech Republic's ammunition purchase program and Germany's efforts to strengthen Ukrainian air defences.
Russians upgrade their "Blyat Mobile" Tanks
🎦 36:04-36:37⏩
Jonathan lightheartedly points out the latest upgrades to Russia's improvised armored vehicles, which he has dubbed the "Blyat Mobile". These upgrades include a fully enclosed back to prevent drone attacks and removable panels for easier access.
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Wrap Up
🎦 36:37-37:10⏩
Jonathan wraps up the video with his signature sign-off, thanking viewers for their support and reminding them to like, subscribe, and share the content.
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