Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Denmark & Mykolaiv, Inside a T-72, & a Long-Range War
Table of Contents 📖
"If you, as the world's second biggest military power, about to enter the third year of your special military operation to conquer a 40 million strong nation as big as France, and you sustain 13,000 casualties and lose over 200 vehicles trying to seize the ruins of a small city of Avdiivka within months, that's not the kind of result that makes you feel too confident."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:29⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another Ukraine War Update Extra, focusing on insightful aspects of the conflict. He acknowledges a recent lull in producing these 'extra' videos, explaining his intention to delve into a week-old article concerning Denmark's support of Ukraine.
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Denmark's Targeted Aid to Mykolaiv
🎦 00:29-09:20⏩
Jonathan discusses Denmark's approach to aiding Ukraine, highlighting their focused support for the Mykolaiv region as a potential blueprint for future reconstruction efforts. He emphasizes the mutually beneficial nature of the aid, with Denmark's Export and Investment Fund (EIFO) providing loans to Ukrainian businesses in Mykolaiv, thereby stimulating both economies. Key points:
- EIFO, under the Danish government, is providing loans to Ukrainian businesses impacted by the war, focusing specifically on Mykolaiv.
- This targeted approach ensures the money is used for rebuilding efforts in a specific region rather than going into general coffers.
- Jonathan highlights the mutually beneficial aspect of this aid - it helps Ukraine rebuild while also benefiting the Danish economy and creating jobs in Denmark.
- The article emphasizes the dire economic situation in Mykolaiv, which was once a shipbuilding hub but has been severely impacted by the war.
- The presence of Russian mines in the countryside poses a significant obstacle to economic recovery, particularly for farmers.
- Jonathan points out that Zelensky, during a visit to Mykolaiv, urged other countries to emulate Denmark's model.
- He concludes by praising Denmark's efforts and suggesting that this model, with its emphasis on mutually beneficial partnerships, could be a blueprint for future reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
Similarities Between Russia and Nazi Germany
🎦 09:20-10:25⏩
Jonathan addresses the frequent, and tiresome, pro-Kremlin argument that Ukraine is overrun with Nazis. He uses a meme to illustrate that Russia aligns more closely with Nazi Germany in its actions and ideology. He lists examples such as the imprisonment of political opponents, the spreading of propaganda, and crimes against humanity. He reminds viewers that Putin is wanted for genocidal crimes whereas Zelensky is not.
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Donald Tusk's Election as Polish Prime Minister
🎦 10:25-14:47⏩
Jonathan analyses the implications of Donald Tusk's return as Poland's Prime Minister, particularly regarding Ukraine. He believes Tusk's strong pro-EU stance and his commitment to maximizing support for Ukraine will be beneficial. Key points:
- Tusk's appointment is considered positive for Ukraine due to his unwavering support and his experience in European politics.
- Jonathan notes Tusk's criticism of politicians who express "Ukraine fatigue," emphasizing Tusk's commitment to continued and unwavering support.
- He also highlights the challenge Tusk faces in addressing the blockade at the Polish-Ukrainian border, where Polish truckers are protesting against the entry of their lower-paid Ukrainian counterparts. This blockade has severely impacted the Ukrainian economy, costing them an estimated billion euros.
- On immigration, Jonathan characterizes Tusk's stance as "borders first," suggesting a balance between securing borders and a humane approach to migration and asylum.
- He concludes that Tusk's leadership is poised to be a net gain for Ukraine, lauding his proactive approach to engaging with regional allies like Estonia and Lithuania to address shared concerns related to Russia and the ongoing war.
Inside a T-72 Tank
🎦 14:47-25:32⏩
Jonathan shares a video by "Mr. Hughes", a British tank enthusiast, offering a detailed look inside a T-72 tank, highlighting the cramped and hazardous conditions. He points out the lack of basic safety features, highlighting the stark contrast with the British Chieftain tank. Jonathan finds the experience "horrendous," expressing disbelief that such tanks are still in operation. The video highlights the autoloader, cramped crew compartment, lack of padding, exposed machinery, and the risks associated with the turret's rotation. He jokes about the lack of space for a boiling vessel (BV) for making tea.
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The Changing Nature of Warfare: A Long-Range War
🎦 25:32-36:43⏩
Jonathan discusses journalist Illia Ponomarenko's perspective on the war, particularly the limitations of Russia's military campaign. Ponomarenko argues that Russia's inability to achieve a decisive victory, even after significant losses, raises questions about their long-term prospects. Jonathan agrees, emphasizing the "unspectacular" nature of Russia's advances, especially given the resources they have committed. He then shifts to a podcast featuring various experts, including Ambassador Bill Taylor, Michael Weiss, Dave Rothkopf, and Mark Polymeropoulos. The experts discuss the impact of potential US aid cuts to Ukraine and the evolving nature of the conflict. Jonathan highlights a key point: General Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, believes that tanks have become obsolete in modern warfare. He argues that the widespread use of drones for surveillance, targeting, and attacks has made large-scale tank maneuvers impractical and increasingly risky. The experts concur, emphasizing the need for a different approach focusing on long-range strikes using weapons like HIMARS, Storm Shadow missiles, and potentially ATACMS. They suggest that Ukraine should prioritize acquiring advanced drones and developing countermeasures against Russian drones. Jonathan believes that the war will increasingly be fought from a distance, targeting Russian logistics, infrastructure, and command centers. He suggests that sustained, long-range strikes, combined with Ukraine's growing domestic arms production, could ultimately lead to the military collapse of Russia.
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Upcoming Article on Disinformation & the Role of AI
🎦 36:43-40:10⏩
Jonathan announces an upcoming article on OnlySky focusing on disinformation, particularly within the context of American politics. The article explores how AI can be utilized for real-time fact-checking, particularly during political events like debates. Key points:
- He criticizes the spread of misinformation and how it takes root in people's minds.
- He expresses frustration with the prevalence of lies in the current information landscape, particularly from Russia, and calls for a return to a truth-based discourse.
- He highlights the importance of challenging falsehoods, using the example of Mehdi Hassan's robust interviewing style as a model for holding individuals accountable for their statements.
- He advocates for the development and implementation of AI-powered fact-checking tools to counter disinformation in real time.
Wrap up
🎦 40:10-40:21⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by expressing gratitude to his viewers, especially his channel members, for their continued support. He thanks them for allowing him to share his insights, analyses, and occasional rants.
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