Ukraine War Update NEWS (20230906b): Pt 2 - Overnight & Other News

"This is simply shameful... placing a blanket hold on all general and flag officer nominees, who as political officials have traditionally been exempt from the hold process, is unfair to these military leaders and their families, and it is putting our national security at risk."

Hello Team!

Jonathan mentions that he forgot to include in his first video that General Serebikin has suddenly disappeared from the website of the Russian Ministry of Defence. He was sympathetic towards Prigozhin and the mutiny, and while he resurfaced in a photo, he seems to have been sacked from any military role. Jonathan thinks this won't work in Russia's favour as Serebikin was a competent leader despite being horrific.

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Front Lines

• Near Bakhmut, Ukrainians have gained some purchase up to the railway line south of Andriivka according to Syriak Maps, confirming what Andrew Perpetua had reported. There is speculation that if Ukraine presses this area with enough personnel, they could get a breakthrough.
• Syriak Maps reports new Ukrainian advances into the grey zone south of Novomokrivka. The situation in Maryinka hasn't changed much with positional battles taking place at long distances.
• According to Global War Monitor, Ukraine has pushed Russians out of a 2.5 sq km area west of Novodonetsk.
• Rumours suggest Ukraine has entered Novopropivka, south of Robotnaya. Syriak Maps shows Ukrainians slowly establishing positions on the opposite side of the river in Kamianske. Rebar's map interestingly shows the entire area south of the river in Kamianske under Ukrainian control.

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Military Aid

• Germany has pledged 76 more Zetros trucks to Ukraine, funded by the German government, in addition to the 100 already delivered. Jonathan praises Germany for really stepping up their military aid to Ukraine.
• Germany has also handed over the first five-digit ammunition supply for Gepard guns to Ukraine after starting their own production.
• European industrial capacity for ammunition production has increased and is expected to almost double by early next year according to Estonia's Defence Minister.
• The Netherlands say their priority is to get F-16 fighter jets into Ukrainian skies as soon as possible.
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Kyiv and may announce a $1 billion aid package.

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Geopolitics

• The Albanian Prime Minister joked about Putin at the Bled Strategic Forum, mocking him for murdering Prigozhin. Jonathan thinks it's amazing that he can do this at an international conference and have everyone laughing at Putin.
• The UAE exported $149 million worth of computer components to Russia in the first 5 months of 2023 compared to $1 million in the same period last year. Exports of communications equipment grew from $0 to $64 million. Jonathan is angry that the UAE is allowing sanctions to be rendered useless and thinks there should be ramifications.
• US Senator Tommy Tuberville is holding up the appointment of 301 military personnel over a dispute about reproductive healthcare. Military leaders are very unhappy about this, saying it puts national security at risk and leaves acting officials without full legal authorities in place. Affected positions include the Deputy Commanding General of Security Assistance Group Ukraine. Jonathan thinks this political point-scoring at the expense of security is unacceptable.

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Wrap up

Jonathan notes that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Kyiv for two days and expresses confidence that he will do what is right for Ukraine. He apologises for the two long videos today and will try to make them shorter tomorrow. As always, he asks viewers to like, subscribe, share and let him know what they think.

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