Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid & Geopolitical News

"Every dollar that is being spent by any country on supporting Ukraine is for the benefit of the country giving that dollar. There is no charity involved here..."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:08⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his daily Ukraine War Update, covering Military Aid and Geopolitical News.

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Donetsk Market Strike Analysis

🎦 00:08-02:41⏩

Jonathan revisits the recent strike on a market in Donetsk, which both sides have blamed on each other. He highlights analysis from Ewan MacDonald and OSINT technical analysis from _Mail Content News_, using video footage and sound to demonstrate that it was likely a Russian false flag operation.

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EU considers new Ukraine financing Scheme

🎦 02:41-03:57⏩

Jonathan discusses reports that the EU is considering a new financing plan for Ukraine, aiming to reimburse member states for bilateral military aid provided. This is in response to some countries, like Germany, providing significant aid directly but then seeking reductions in EU contributions. Jonathan acknowledges the tensions this creates but emphasizes the importance of aid reaching Ukraine, regardless of the source.

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Lithuanian Military Aid for Ukraine

🎦 03:57-04:05⏩

Lithuania will send armoured vehicles, ammunition, and anti-drone systems to Ukraine.

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German MOD discusses challenges repairing Leopard tanks

🎦 04:05-05:27⏩

Jonathan highlights an interview with Major General Christian Freuding, head of the planning command staff for the German MOD. Freuding discusses the challenges of repairing Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 and Stridsvagn 122 tanks, noting that Ukrainians often remove usable parts due to a lack of spares. This necessitates rebuilding rather than repairing, which takes longer. The German MOD aims to address this through better training for Ukrainian soldiers, a more targeted supply of spare parts, and improved communication. Freuding also states that Russia's modern armed forces have been "de facto destroyed" but emphasises that Russia's "imperialistic impulse is unbroken", making Western support for Ukraine crucial.

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Ukraine weaponises agricultural drone with machine gun and grenade launcher

🎦 05:27-06:09⏩

Jonathan showcases a DGI Agras T-30, an agricultural drone modified by Ukraine to carry a PKM 7.62x54mm machine gun and a ball spike anti-tank grenade launcher.

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Ukraine developing third-generation maritime drones

🎦 06:09-07:09⏩

Jonathan reports that Ukraine is developing a third generation of maritime drones. He cites Peter Clifford and Chuck Pfarrer as sources but advises caution with the latter's claims. These new drones are said to have improved navigation, sensors, increased range, and larger warheads, aiming to target Russian ships in ports like Novorossiysk.

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UK provides UN with evidence of N Korea sending Arms to Russia

🎦 08:27-09:59⏩

The UK has provided the UN with satellite images showing North Korean cargo ships delivering arms to Russia, which would violate UN resolutions. Jonathan hopes this will lead to Russia's removal from the UN Security Council, a sentiment echoed by a commenter named WBIN, with whom Jonathan has been discussing this issue.

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Russia develops diamond gyroscope for drones and space applications

🎦 09:59-10:53⏩

Jonathan reports on Russia's development of a new diamond gyroscope, claiming it to be so precise it can even function in space. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance the navigation and targeting capabilities of Russian drones.

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Ukrainian drone strike on Ust-Luga Gas plant

🎦 10:53-12:33⏩

Jonathan discusses the recent Ukrainian drone strike on the Ust-Luga gas condensate plant, a key energy hub for Russia. He speculates that this could significantly impact Russia's ability to fund the war, similar to how Russia's attacks on Ukrainian grain exports have impacted global food supplies. He raises a moral question: Should Ukraine target such facilities, even if it disrupts global energy supplies?

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Belarus considers attack on Russian Allies an attack on Belarus

🎦 12:34-14:16⏩

Belarus has changed its military doctrine, stating that an attack on its allies will be considered an attack on Belarus itself. Jonathan speculates that this could be similar to NATO's Article 5, potentially drawing Belarus into the war if Russia is attacked. He expresses concern about this development, especially given the Belarusian population's lack of support for Lukashenko and the war.

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DeSantis drops out of US Presidential Race and endorses Trump

🎦 14:16-16:38⏩

Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the US presidential race and endorsed Donald Trump. Jonathan criticises DeSantis's lack of "principles", stating that he finds the situation "pathetic" and sees it as DeSantis going back to Trump "with his tail between his legs". He believes this consolidates the race to Trump and Nikki Haley and questions whether Haley will remain in the race, especially given Trump's legal troubles.

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Trump praises Orban

🎦 16:38-17:42⏩

Jonathan expresses disgust at Trump's praise for Viktor Orbán, calling the Hungarian Prime Minister a dictator. He criticises Trump's reasoning – "It is good to have a strong person at the head of a country" – by comparing it to justifications used for Stalin, Pol Pot, and Hitler.

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Slovak PM makes pro-Kremlin remarks

🎦 17:42-18:54⏩

Jonathan criticises Robert Fico, the Slovak Prime Minister, for repeating Kremlin talking points by suggesting that Ukraine must cede territory to Russia for peace and that Ukraine is controlled by the United States. Jonathan notes that Fico's views are unpopular in Slovakia.

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General Ben Hodges criticises Trump

🎦 18:54-21:07⏩

Jonathan shares his admiration for General Ben Hodges, who criticised Trump in a recent interview for claiming ownership of generals and judges, drawing parallels to dictatorships. Hodges defends Mark Milley against Trump's criticisms, stating that Milley is one of the "hardest working" and "most well-read" individuals in the US. Jonathan encourages viewers to watch the full interview on Midas Touch, acknowledging its left-leaning bias but praising its content.

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Polish PM visits Kyiv to discuss agricultural imports and border blockades

🎦 21:07-22:19⏩

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has visited Kyiv to discuss Poland's embargo on Ukrainian agricultural products and Polish carriers blocking the border. Jonathan notes that this issue is currently a point of contention between himself and WBIN in the comments section, and he suggests viewers watch a TLDR News EU video for further context on the situation in Poland.

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Protests against the far-right in Germany

🎦 22:19-23:37⏩

Jonathan highlights large-scale protests against the far-right AfD party in Hamburg, Germany. He emphasises that this is relevant to Ukraine because the AfD is sympathetic to the Kremlin, and their rise could threaten German support for Ukraine.

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Shipping insurance rates soar in the Red Sea

🎦 23:37-26:14⏩

Jonathan reports that insurance rates for ships in the Red Sea have increased by up to 70% due to attacks by Houthi rebels. He links this to the broader geopolitical context, noting that while the Houthis may be targeting ships in retaliation for the Israel-Palestine conflict, the US, UK, and other countries' actions against the Houthis are primarily driven by economic interests. He argues that there are no "free lunches" in geopolitics and that every dollar spent, even on humanitarian aid, serves a country's national interest.

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Jonathan corrects viewer comment on US Oil Production

🎦 26:14-37:11⏩

Jonathan addresses a comment from viewer _Sir John Boy_, who claimed that President Biden has not increased US oil production and is instead relying on strategic reserves. Jonathan challenges this, presenting evidence from multiple sources to demonstrate that the US is producing record amounts of oil, surpassing even Saudi Arabia and Russia in exports. He argues that the Biden administration's strategy involved a temporary drawdown of strategic reserves in 2022 to stabilise prices while simultaneously encouraging domestic production, which has since reached record levels. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of accuracy and backs his claims with factual data.

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Wrap up

🎦 37:11-37:16⏩

Jonathan thanks his viewers for watching and for sharing their perspectives, even when they disagree. He encourages continued discussion while emphasizing the importance of accuracy.

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