Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"Russian troops and fleets are being harassed by obsolete French cruise missiles that have been recycled. War ecology."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:20⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his Ukraine War Update, explaining that there may be some confusion about the video order due to internet issues and YouTube restrictions.
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EU calls for faster and more efficient weapons production for Ukraine - preferably in Ukraine
🎦 00:20-01:37⏩
EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, has stated that weapons and ammunition production for Ukraine needs to be faster, more efficient, and ideally located within Ukraine itself. This follows the recent trend of countries like Denmark and Canada providing funding for Ukraine to manufacture its own military equipment domestically. Jonathan argues that this approach offers multiple advantages. Firstly, it directly addresses Ukraine's urgent need for weaponry. Secondly, it provides economic stimulus to Ukraine. Thirdly, it benefits the economies of the nations supplying the funding (for example, Denmark). Lastly, it stimulates the EU's economy as a whole. Ultimately, this method proves more beneficial than relying solely on direct military aid.
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Lithuania to bolster Ukraine's air defense as part of German-led initiative
🎦 02:14-02:34⏩
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gitanas Nausėda has confirmed that Lithuania will join the German-led air defence initiative aimed at strengthening Ukraine's air defences. As part of their contribution, Lithuania plans to provide Ukraine with air surveillance radars.
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Spain delivers Patriot interceptors to Ukraine; need for launchers remains
🎦 02:36-03:22⏩
Spain has successfully delivered a new batch of Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) interceptors to Ukraine. While this delivery is welcomed, Ukraine is still in dire need of the launchers themselves to create a fully operational Patriot battery. Jonathan highlights that Spain was considered a potential source for complete Patriot systems, but unfortunately, these acquisitions did not materialise.
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Netherlands to commence F-16 deliveries to Ukraine in autumn; Denmark's transfer already underway
🎦 03:22-04:07⏩
The Netherlands has announced plans to begin delivering F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in the autumn. This timeline is later than initially hoped. Meanwhile, Denmark has already started transferring its F-16s, possibly to Romania, for eventual delivery to Ukraine.
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France's Operation Chrysalis: Recycling and supplying SCALP missiles to Ukraine
🎦 04:07-08:14⏩
Jonathan delves into France's discreet operation to supply Ukraine with SCALP cruise missiles, dubbed "Operation Chrysalis."
- France is refurbishing and supplying older SCALP BG missiles from its stockpiles, which were nearing the end of their service life or had been partially disassembled for parts.
- These missiles are being upgraded and tested over a three-month period at an MBDA Group industrial site in Bourges, France.
- To avoid depleting their active inventory, France is also modifying export versions of the SCALP-EG missiles to be compatible with Ukrainian systems.
- These export missiles, originally destined for other customers, are being adapted to ensure their usability by the Ukrainian armed forces.
- The SCALP missiles, with a range of 300 kilometers, have proven highly effective for Ukraine, enabling them to target Russian assets previously out of range. Notable examples of their impact include:
- The destruction of a Russian command center in Luhansk Oblast
- A successful attack on two Russian ships dry-docked in the port of Sevastopol, including a large landing ship and a Kilo-class submarine
- Strikes on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, inflicting casualties and damage
- An attack on the Kurtz shipyard, damaging a Russian warship
- The use of these missiles has forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet to relocate further east, providing Ukraine with strategic advantages. Jonathan highlights a quote from Sébastien Locourneau: "Russian troops and fleets are being harassed by obsolete French cruise missiles that have been recycled. War ecology."
Ukraine could produce $10 billion worth of weapons with adequate financing
🎦 08:27-09:29⏩
Ukrainian Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin has stated that Ukrainian companies have the capacity to produce $10 billion worth of weapons in 2024 if provided with sufficient funding. This aligns with calls from the EU and countries like Canada and Denmark to support Ukraine's domestic arms production. Ukraine claims it possesses the necessary workforce, resources, and manufacturing capabilities but lacks the financial resources to scale up production. By investing in Ukraine's domestic production, international partners can potentially expedite the supply of crucial weaponry compared to relying solely on their production capabilities.
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Croatia aids Ukraine's demining efforts with MV4 and MV10 vehicles
🎦 09:29-10:06⏩
Croatia has donated MV4 demining vehicles to Ukraine's Department of Emergency Services to assist with the clearing of landmines and unexploded ordnance. Furthermore, Croatia plans to deliver 30 to 40 heavier MV10 demining vehicles to Ukraine this year, significantly bolstering their demining capabilities. Jonathan expresses his appreciation for Croatia's contribution and the impressive capabilities of these vehicles. He humorously ponders if these versatile machines can also plant crops in the demined fields.
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British intelligence estimates 9,000 Chechen personnel fighting for Russia in Ukraine
🎦 10:06-13:00⏩
According to British intelligence, approximately 9,000 Chechen personnel are currently serving in pro-Russian units in Ukraine. Jonathan delves into the complex dynamics surrounding Chechnya's involvement in the conflict:
- Pro-Russian Chechen forces have been involved in the conflict since 2014, with additional units deployed at the outset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
- After facing initial heavy losses, Chechen units were largely relegated to rear-area security operations and gained notoriety for their social media activities, earning them the moniker "TikTok troops."
- However, following the withdrawal of the Wagner Group from the front lines, Chechen units have been increasingly deployed in frontline combat roles.
- While Chechen special forces units are believed to be bearing the brunt of frontline fighting, a significant portion of Chechen forces continue to handle rear-area security operations.
- Beyond providing manpower, Chechnya plays a crucial role in training Russian personnel. The Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya, has reportedly trained around 42,000 Russian personnel since 2022.
- However, doubts remain about the training's effectiveness as personnel reportedly receive only up to 10 days of training at the facility.
Chechnya's Ramzan Kadyrov outlines territorial ambitions in Ukraine
🎦 13:00-13:25⏩
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has outlined his objectives for Russia in the conflict, stating the need to capture Odesa and Kharkiv, thereby forcing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into concessions. Jonathan suggests that Kadyrov's comments could offer insight into Russia's potential strategic goals.
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Russia's reliance on Chechnya likely to increase as attrition takes its toll
🎦 13:25-14:33⏩
Jonathan speculates that Russia's reliance on Chechnya for manpower and training is likely to increase as the war drags on and attrition rates rise. He argues that drawing troops from within Russia, particularly from major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, could fuel public discontent as casualties mount. By relying on recruits from regions like Chechnya, Russia aims to mitigate the potential for domestic backlash against the war, similar to the sentiment that emerged during the Soviet-Afghan War.
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Wrap up
🎦 14:33-14:40⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by thanking viewers for watching.
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