Ukraine War Update NEWS: Overnight & Other News
Table of Contents 📖
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"China feels no responsibility to hold the Kremlin accountable for the atrocities committed in Ukraine. And instead of even condemning them, it would rather provide diplomatic cover for Russia to continue to commit those very crimes."
Hello Team!
Jonathan provides his usual caveats that the Russian loss figures from Ukraine are inaccurate propaganda, but he finds them indicatively useful and fairly accurate based on supporting evidence. There has been an uptick in troop losses from the weekend, with 960 lost yesterday which is very heavy for the Russians. Equipment losses were also high, with 15 tanks, 10 APCs, 9 artillery systems, 12 vehicles and fuel tanks, and 1 piece of special equipment destroyed.
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🪦 DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL STAFF LOSSES DATA
- These are real people with real lives and real families who love them. Don’t let the numbers sap your humanity.
- These numbers probably aren’t accurate but they’re the best we have and we don’t need them to be accurate to be indicative of patterns of activity.
- All losses are estimates. Losses cannot be counted with accuracy because of the conditions on the ground.
- Both sides would see it to be of their advantage to minimize their own losses maximize the other side’s losses.
- Neither side releases their losses but we have enough transparency from the Ukrainian side to have confidence in they are indicative.
- Personnel losses are hard to count. If a soldier gets injured, heals up, and returns to the front line only to get injured again, is that one loss or two? Also, how to deal with losses from PMC’s or soldiers fighting with RF from occupied territories?
- Equipment losses are hard to count. If an AA complex involves several parts and one part gets disabled, is that a loss, or a fraction of a loss? If a tank gets disabled, repaired, back into the fight, then disabled again, is that one lost tank or two?
- All recorded losses are vulnerable to multiple reporting. We have already seen numerous cases of multiple drones in the air reporting the same loss from different angles as multiple engagements.
- Losses are not always reported on the same day they occurred. It is frequent that drone losses are reported at least 24 hours after other terrestrial equipment losses. Certain losses may not be reported for days or weeks for military intelligence reasons.
Russian Losses and Targeting of Artillery
Jonathan notes the consistent high numbers of artillery systems being destroyed and shares a report indicating that since mid-February, Ukraine has been conducting a "real hunt" for Russian artillery and MLRS along the entire line of contact. According to Russian officers, from February 10th to March 18th, Ukraine destroyed or disabled about 150 guns and MLRS. Jonathan believes this is a sensible and important effort, as most troop losses are from artillery. Destroying these systems protects Ukrainian troops and helps shape the battlefield for the upcoming counteroffensive.
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Drone Warfare
The video shows footage of a Russian fighter jet crashing near Donetsk and Ukrainian FPV drones destroying two Russian armored carriers. Jonathan notes the increasing use and importance of Ukrainian-built kamikaze drones, which are often racing drones modified with explosive warheads. He shares an article from The Economist discussing Ukraine's drone program, which has undergone significant restructuring and expansion. However, the article notes that Russian electronic warfare capabilities pose a serious challenge, and Ukraine is still seeking solutions for operating drones effectively behind Russian lines, especially after Elon Musk's Starlink began geofencing its service.
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Attack on Dzhankoi, Crimea
Overnight, Ukrainian drones struck the Russian-occupied city of Dzhankoi in northern Crimea. The Ukrainians claim they hit a train carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, causing major explosions. Dzhankoi is a key rail hub supplying Sevastopol, Simferopol, and Armyansk, so damage to the junction could significantly disrupt Russian logistics. Some Russian sources dispute that cruise missiles were hit. The footage shows secondary explosions and air defenses engaging the drones.
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Military Aid and Training
The US announced a new $350 million military aid package for Ukraine, including ammunition, anti-tank weapons, mine clearing equipment, and other essential items. Jonathan expresses slight disappointment that it did not include larger systems like ATACMS in response to the drone incident. However, the US is training Ukrainians on Strykers, and Germany is sending Marder IFVs which are now en route. Denmark will be training Ukrainians on demining and French Caesar self-propelled howitzers. Norway has also delivered Leopard 2A4 tanks and armored recovery vehicles.
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Geopolitics and Diplomacy
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, calling him a "dear friend". The US criticized China for providing diplomatic cover for Russia rather than condemning its atrocities in Ukraine. Jonathan believes that Xi is in a position of power over Putin and will seek to extract concessions and benefits for China. Hungary blocked the EU from issuing a joint statement on the ICC arrest warrant for Putin. In a surprise announcement, Japanese PM Kishida will be visiting Kyiv for talks with Zelensky.
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Wrap up
Jonathan notes there is too much happening to cover everything, but he will have a frontline update and an "extra" video coming soon. He appreciates all the support for the channel.
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