Ukraine War Update EXTRA
Table of Contents 📖
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"There's so much to talk about and goodness me there's breaking news as well that I just had to include"
Hello Team!
Jonathan introduces this as the second Ukraine War Update Extra video for today, as there is so much to talk about including some breaking news that he had to include. He references the first part released earlier.
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Breaking News: US to Send Abrams Tanks to Ukraine
- President Biden announced the US is sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, reversing an earlier decision. This comes after discussions with Scholz, Macron and Sunak.
- The tanks will equip a Ukrainian tank battalion. The US will also provide training and supplies to operate and maintain the tanks, including 8 M88 recovery vehicles.
- The training will not take place in Ukraine. This is a continuation of US efforts to provide Ukraine with capabilities to defend itself and represents a long-term commitment.
Leopard 2 Tank Commitments
Jonathan sums up the current Leopard 2 tank commitments from various countries:
- Germany & Poland: 14 Challenger 2s, 28 Leopard 2s (approved)
- Portugal: 4 (previously promised but not confirmed)
- Spain: 20-50 (not all operational, will need work)
- Sweden: Unknown
- Norway: Likely 8
- Netherlands: 18
- Finland: 14
- Denmark: 6
This totals around 100 Leopard 2s, plus the 31 Abrams tanks from the US. If these can all be provided and crews trained together, they could form strong mechanized battalions to punch through Russian lines.
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Russian Reactions
Russian military reporter Kotz is calling for the threat of Western tanks to be taken seriously, even suggesting they could be operated by foreign crews like Poles. Jonathan notes this is nonsense but expects varied reactions from the Russian information space.
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Issues with Russian T-14 Armata Tanks
According to UK Defence Intelligence:
- Russia has been preparing a small number of T-14 Armata tanks for their first deployment in Ukraine
- However, Russian troops have been reluctant to accept them due to poor condition
- Within 3 years of introduction, Russian officials described problems with the T-14's engine and thermal imaging
- In 2021, Shoigu said the 2022 production run would only be an "experimental-industrial batch"
- So it's unlikely any deployed T-14s will meet usual standards for new equipment to be deemed operational
Jonathan notes this is the only real upgrade to Russia's tank fleet, but they are still having issues with it, while Ukraine is set to receive modern Western tanks.
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Complaints from Mobilized Russian Soldiers
A group of mobilized soldiers from Siberia are complaining about their treatment:
- They were trained as territorial defense but thrown into a frontline assault group
- They suffered 19 wounded and 2 killed in just 2 days
Jonathan reflects on how difficult life must be for these poorly trained and equipped soldiers used as "cannon fodder".
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Failed Russian Assault near Vuhledar
Footage from the 36th Marine Brigade shows a failed Russian assault near Vuhledar, north of Donetsk airport:
- A Russian armored recovery vehicle is taken out by an ATGM
- Artillery strikes Russian dismounted infantry
- At least 2 more Russian vehicles destroyed by Stugna-P ATGMs
- In total, 7 Russian IFVs were destroyed in this engagement
Jonathan notes these kinds of tactical defeats add up to the heavy equipment losses Russia is suffering daily.
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Reflections on Germany's Ukraine Policy
Jonathan shares a comment from a German viewer who felt ashamed about Germany's reluctance to provide Leopard 2s.
- He agrees with another reply that Germany has still helped Ukraine a lot in other ways and will need to continue assisting Ukraine in the long-term.
- He cites historian Timothy Garton Ash's view that the Leopard 2 delay undid a lot of the goodwill Germany had built up recently as the 2nd largest provider of combined military, humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine after the US.
- Jonathan pushes back on Polish PM Morawiecki's criticism that Germany's position was "difficult to understand" and they "do not want to help Ukraine defend itself in a wider way".
- He argues this fails to account for Germany's complex domestic politics and coalition dynamics that were discussed in previous videos. Germany's relationship and history with Russia also needs to be considered.
Light-hearted Stories
To end on a lighter note: 1) Ukrainian troops on the frontline have set up a mobile jacuzzi. Jonathan jokes about the logistics of this and wonders how troops manage hygiene and uniforms in field conditions. 2) In response to Ukraine converting pickup trucks into field ambulances, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations unveiled a "horse stretcher" for wounded soldiers. The video shows a mock casualty being loaded onto a horse, which then trips and almost falls. Jonathan suspects this is meant for civilian emergencies rather than frontline use.
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Wrap Up
Jonathan thanks viewers for their support and acknowledges some "Buy Me a Coffee" donations from Cynthia, David from Scotland, and Lynn. He signs off and will be back with more updates tomorrow.
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