Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"Ukraine was the eighth largest spender in 2023 after a 51 percent spending surge to reach 64.8 billion dollars...so that's against 109 billion so the Ukrainians spending 64 billion means that they are 45 billion 44 billion dollars off what the russians are spending this gave ukraine a 37 military burden and represented 58 of total government spending...so almost half sorry over half over half of their government spending was being spent on the military."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:19⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to part two of the April 22nd Ukraine War News Update, focusing on military aid and equipment. He highlights an upcoming discussion about Chairman Brown's remarks regarding inventory concerns and the Biden administration's approach to military aid in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Debate on ATACMS Provision to Ukraine
🎦 00:19-03:14⏩
Jonathan discusses the ongoing debate surrounding the provision of ATACMS to Ukraine. He notes that while some argue that the Biden administration's hesitation stems from concerns about depleting US stockpiles, others, like Colby Badwas, believe it's primarily due to fear of escalation. This difference in opinion points to a potential disconnect between the Department of Defense and the Biden administration regarding Ukraine aid. Jonathan suggests that the recent approval of a military aid package by the US House of Representatives (with the Senate's decision pending) might be the last for a considerable time, as expressed by Anton Hofreuter, the head of the European Committee in the Bundestag. Jonathan agrees with Hofreuter that Europeans should increase their support for Ukraine, regardless of US aid. He observes that while the EU is moving in the right direction, ramping up military production takes time.
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Ukrainian Commander's Concerns about Military Aid
🎦 05:27-10:30⏩
Jonathan shares insights from an interview with a Ukrainian commander on "The Ukrainian Latest" podcast, highlighting the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces due to the inadequate condition of some military aid received. The commander criticizes the delivery of unusable Bradley Fighting Vehicles without spare parts, forcing troops to resort to cannibalizing vehicles for repairs. This situation underscores the need for more significant logistical planning and support alongside equipment deliveries. The commander warns that if US military aid is not sustained, Ukrainian forces may face a large-scale offensive and territorial losses, potentially aligning with recent assessments by Budanov, who anticipates significant challenges for Ukraine in the coming months. The interview reveals that while aid is being provided, the lack of comprehensive support significantly hinders its effectiveness.
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Comparison of Russian and Ukrainian Military Spending
🎦 10:30-13:16⏩
Jonathan discusses a report from SIPRI, a Swedish-based organization that analyzes global arms expenditures, revealing that in 2023, Russia increased its military spending by 24% to an estimated $109 billion. This represents a 57% increase since 2014, the year of the Crimean annexation. Comparatively, Ukraine, the eighth largest spender in 2023, dedicated $64.8 billion (59% of Russia's spending) to its military, a 51% surge. Despite receiving at least $35 billion in military aid (including $25.4 billion from the US), Ukraine's combined spending on defense amounted to 91% of Russia's military expenditure. This disparity highlights the need for Ukraine to maximize the impact of limited resources, requiring superior equipment and strategic efficiency. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of continued and robust international support for Ukraine in light of these financial constraints.
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Denmark's Donation of F-16 Fighter Jets
🎦 13:16-14:30⏩
Jonathan reports that Denmark will provide Ukraine with its entire fleet of F-16 fighter jets as they phase them out in favor of F-35s, as confirmed by Denmark's ambassador to Ukraine. This decision aligns with Denmark's previous donation of its entire artillery stock to Ukraine. Jonathan praises Denmark for its significant contribution to supporting Ukraine's defense efforts. He also notes that he's unsure of the exact number of F-16s Denmark will be providing.
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Pressure on Greece and Spain for Air Defense Systems
🎦 14:30-16:45⏩
Jonathan highlights the pressure on Greece and Spain from EU and NATO allies to supply Ukraine with air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile systems and Soviet-developed S-300s. This pressure comes as Ukraine urgently requests additional air defense capabilities to counter Russia's intensified air and missile campaign. Ukrainian President Zelensky publicly urged for the provision of operational Patriot systems to effectively protect lives and infrastructure. Jonathan notes that Greece possesses S-300 systems that could be transferred to Ukraine but acknowledges the recent losses suffered by Ukrainian air defense forces, highlighting the need for replenishment. He also mentions Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's request to France to expedite the production of SAMP/T-Mamba air defense systems, the Franco-Italian equivalent to the Patriot system, recognizing the production timeline as a potential constraint.
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Norway's Financial Support for Ukrainian Air Defense
🎦 17:24-18:21⏩
Jonathan announces that Norway will join the international effort to supply Ukraine with additional air defense systems. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirms that significant funds will be allocated from the Nansen program, Norwegian support packages, and a revised state budget. While the exact amount is undisclosed, Norway stresses the urgency of delivering these systems to Ukraine as quickly as possible, highlighting the collaborative effort among several countries to expedite this process. Jonathan commends Norway and other Baltic and Nordic nations for their significant contributions to Ukraine's defense, emphasizing their commitment relative to their GDP.
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Slovakian Crowdfunding for Ukrainian Ammunition
🎦 18:21-19:09⏩
Jonathan reports on a crowdfunded campaign in Slovakia, initiated in response to Prime Minister Robert Fico's refusal to provide state-sanctioned military aid to Ukraine. Despite Fico's stance, the campaign successfully raised over $3 million to purchase ammunition for the Ukrainian military through a Czech-organized procurement program. Jonathan praises the Slovakian people for their solidarity with Ukraine and their willingness to support its defense despite their government's position.
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Iran's Development of Shahed-136 Drones
🎦 19:09-20:14⏩
Jonathan discusses leaked information regarding Iran's development of Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. The leaks reveal that the drone's warhead has been significantly enhanced from 50 kilograms to 90 kilograms. Additionally, Iran has developed high-explosive fragmentation and thermobaric warheads for these drones. The drones, which previously relied on GPS for navigation, have also been upgraded to utilize commercially available Q-Star SIM cards for enhanced targeting. Jonathan expresses concern over these developments, noting the continuous evolution of weaponry throughout the conflict. He further reveals that Russia is working on utilizing these drones in a more tactical capacity along the front lines, similar to the Lancet loitering munition, signaling a shift in drone warfare tactics.
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Russian Tank Deployment to the Front Line
🎦 20:14-20:53⏩
Jonathan discusses footage showing a train transporting a number of Russian tanks towards the front line in Ukraine. The exact type of tanks and their specific destination are unknown. He questions whether Russia can sustain its equipment losses due to high attrition rates, suggesting that it's highly unlikely. This footage underscores Russia's ongoing efforts to reinforce its military presence despite suffering significant losses throughout the conflict.
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Russia's Deployment of Electronic Warfare Robots
🎦 20:53-22:09⏩
Jonathan reports on Russia's deployment of a new electronic warfare robot near Ukrainian positions in Avdiivka, where intense fighting persists. He notes that the impact of these robots on the battlefield remains unclear. Jonathan points to the ongoing technological arms race between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides introducing new military equipment and tactics. He predicts that this arms race will likely persist even after the war's conclusion, particularly given Ukraine's potential to become a significant player in the international arms market. He highlights Ukraine's growing expertise in military technology and firsthand experience using and adapting to evolving battlefield conditions, positioning them as a future contender in the global arms industry.
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Wrap up
🎦 22:09-22:12⏩
Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and says goodbye.
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