Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"Financial support for Ukraine is an investment in European and global security and it's not charity."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:10⏩
Jonathan introduces the video and mentions the ongoing Christmas fundraiser with other YouTube creators supporting Ukraine. He encourages viewers to support the fundraising efforts, noting they are already 70% of the way to their goal for the first truck. The link to the fundraiser is in the description.
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Russian MoD claims recent attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure were in response to Taganrog attack
🎦 00:10-02:35⏩
Jonathan discusses the recent large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which he describes as possibly the largest since the beginning of the war. He mentions that the Russian MoD claimed on December 11th, 2024, that these attacks were in retaliation for a Ukrainian missile strike using six ATACMS missiles on a military airfield near Taganrog. Jonathan questions the symmetry of this response, highlighting the significant disparity between the number of missiles and drones used by Russia compared to Ukraine's actions. He also notes the lack of mainstream media coverage of these attacks. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that five of Ukraine's nine operating nuclear reactor units have reduced power output due to the attacks.
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US announces $500m military aid package for Ukraine
🎦 02:35-04:35⏩
Jonathan reports that US President Joe Biden has approved a new $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, the 72nd of its kind. The package includes:
- Counter unmanned aerial systems (counter-drone munitions)
- Ammunition for HIMARS
- Artillery ammunition (155mm and 105mm)
- High-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs)
- Unmanned aerial systems (drones)
- Mine-resistant ambush protection vehicles (MRAPs)
- High-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles (Humvees)
- Light tactical vehicles
- Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment
- Javelin and AT-4 anti-armour systems
- Tube-launched optically-tracked wire-guided missiles (TOW missiles)
- Small arms ammunition
- Demolitions equipment
- Ammunitions and spare parts
- Cellular equipment services, training, and transportation
Jonathan notes that the US is trying to exhaust the aid before the Biden administration runs out of time before January 20th.
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US announces over $440m in economic aid for Ukraine
🎦 04:35-06:18⏩
In addition to the military aid, the US has announced over $440 million in economic aid for Ukraine. This package is divided into four parts:
- $74.7 million to support export-orientated agriculture
- $223 million for the transport system, infrastructure, and logistics
- $35 million for the Ukraine Recovery Trust Fund
- $105 million to finance new jobs involved in recovery and industry
Jonathan emphasises the importance of supporting both the military and the economy of Ukraine, arguing that a functioning economy is essential for the country to sustain itself and continue the fight. He uses the analogy of "teach a man to fish" to illustrate the long-term benefits of supporting Ukraine's ability to produce its own munitions and maintain its economy.
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France to continue supplying SCALP missiles to Ukraine
🎦 06:18-07:19⏩
The French ambassador to Ukraine has stated that France will continue to supply SCALP missiles to Ukraine, emphasising that they have no red lines on this issue and that military targets on Russian territory are legitimate. Jonathan highlights the ambassador's comments that France does not have many SCALP missiles and needs to buy more, but they are making efforts to send new ones to Ukraine. He also mentions that France is considering delivering Mirage 2005 aircraft to Ukraine, though no timeline has been provided.
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Foreign ministers of the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, and France, along with EU diplomat Kaya Kalas, pledge to increase aid to Ukraine
🎦 07:19-08:26⏩
The foreign ministers of the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, and France, along with top EU diplomat Kaya Kalas, have pledged to increase aid to Ukraine, including mobilising additional European funding. Jonathan discusses an interview with Kaya Kalas, the new EU Diplomacy Chief, in which she supports using 210 billion euros in frozen Russian assets held in the EU to aid Ukraine. Kalas acknowledges the legal challenges but predicts progress towards this goal. She also states that the EU must increase financial aid to Ukraine if the US reduces its support, especially if Donald Trump returns to the White House.
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Kaya Kalas says support for Ukraine is an investment in European and global security, not charity
🎦 08:26-11:27⏩
Jonathan discusses Kaya Kalas's statement that financial support for Ukraine is an investment in European and global security, not charity. He elaborates on this point, arguing that it's crucial for voters to understand that supporting Ukraine is in their national security interests. Jonathan uses Maslow's hierarchy of needs to illustrate that helping Ukraine should be seen as a fundamental security need rather than a charitable act that only occurs when all other needs are met. He emphasises that aiding Ukraine helps prevent future large-scale wars and deters threats from countries like North Korea and China. Jonathan also mentions Kaya Kalas's comments on the discussions between Putin and European leaders, suggesting that Russia's struggles in Syria could indicate vulnerabilities relevant to the war in Ukraine.
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Analogy: Jonathan explains that just as individuals don't engage in higher-level thinking (like existential questions) when their basic security needs are threatened, countries should prioritise support for Ukraine as part of their national security. This means framing aid to Ukraine as a necessary investment in security rather than a discretionary charitable act.
- Strategic Importance of Aid: Jonathan argues that supporting Ukraine is essential for preventing future large-scale wars and deterring threats from countries like North Korea and China. He highlights Kaya Kalas's point that this is an investment in global security, not just charity.
- Kaya Kalas's Observations: Jonathan mentions Kaya Kalas's insights on Russia's struggles in Syria, suggesting that these difficulties could indicate vulnerabilities relevant to the war in Ukraine. He notes her view that the war for Ukraine remains winnable, drawing parallels between Russia's setbacks in Syria and potential challenges in Ukraine.
Italy to participate in peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, according to Defence Minister Cossetto
🎦 11:27-13:45⏩
Jonathan discusses a report that Italy is ready to participate in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, according to Italian Defence Minister Cossetto. He quotes Cossetto stating that Italy is prepared to play a role where their nation has always excelled. Jonathan also notes a comment from Timothy Ash criticising Belgium and Italy for being among the lowest NATO spenders on defence while blocking the use of immobilised Russian assets for Ukraine.
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Estonia to provide power unit to Ukraine
🎦 13:45-14:18⏩
Jonathan reports that Ukraine will soon receive one of the power units from the Estonian Auvere power plant. He thanks Estonia for this contribution, noting that the power unit can provide electricity to about 150,000 people. Two more power units are being discussed for transfer in 2025.
- Estonian Power Unit: Ukraine is set to receive a power unit from the Estonian Auvere power plant, capable of providing electricity to around 150,000 people.
- Future Transfers: There are discussions about transferring two more power units in 2025, further aiding Ukraine's energy needs.
Czech company delivers ammunition to Ukraine
🎦 14:18-14:38⏩
Jonathan mentions that the Czech company AKM Group CZ has delivered a batch of various types of ammunition to the Ukrainian Defence Forces. The list includes 82mm and 120mm mortar rounds, cartridges, S8 aviation missiles, and F1 grenades.
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Finland delivers solar panels to Ukraine
🎦 14:38-15:40⏩
Jonathan reports that Finland continues to provide material assistance to Ukraine, including truckloads of solar panels. Between May and November, Finland delivered 68 truckloads of civilian material assistance. Jonathan highlights the importance of diversifying and decentralising Ukraine's energy grid, especially in the face of large-scale attacks that can cripple power stations. He suggests that having self-sufficient energy producers, like schools or hospitals with solar panels, can help maintain operations during such attacks.
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Finnish defence company to establish drone production for Ukraine in collaboration with Ukrainian companies
🎦 15:40-17:21⏩
Jonathan discusses the collaboration between a Finnish defence company and Ukrainian companies to establish drone production in Finland. This effort aims to address the persistent problem of defective drone parts from China. Jonathan mentions that China has been restricting the export of drone components to Ukraine and its allies, and some imported Chinese drones have been found to contain purposefully tampered parts. The collaboration seeks to increase the production of drone components within Ukraine to circumvent these issues.
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Polish Prime Minister says Poland does not plan to send troops to Ukraine, even after a ceasefire
🎦 17:21-18:32⏩
Jonathan reports on comments by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who stated that Poland does not plan to send troops to Ukraine, even after a ceasefire. Tusk emphasised that decisions regarding Poland's actions would be made in Warsaw and only in Warsaw. Jonathan suggests that this statement might be a response to Trump's attempts to dictate European actions rather than a repudiation of Macron's earlier discussions about potential troop deployments.
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Trump's opposition to strikes deep into Russia aligns with the Kremlin's position
🎦 18:32-20:45⏩
Jonathan discusses Trump's statement opposing the use of US ATACMS to strike deep into Russia, noting that this position coincides with the Kremlin's stance. He highlights comments from Peskov, who stated that Trump's view aligns with the Kremlin's, suggesting a concerning alignment between Trump and Putin. Jonathan criticises this alignment, implying that it undermines support for Ukraine.
- Trump's Stance: Trump has expressed strong opposition to using US ATACMS to strike deep into Russia, arguing that it could lead to escalation.
- Kremlin's Alignment: Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, stated that Trump's position aligns with the Kremlin's, indicating a shared view between Trump and Putin on this issue.
- Jonathan's Critique: Jonathan criticises this alignment, suggesting that it undermines support for Ukraine and highlights a concerning relationship between Trump and Putin.
Wrap up
🎦 20:45-21:46⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by thanking viewers for their support and encouraging them to contribute to the CAR for Ukraine fundraiser. He mentions that the fundraiser is almost 72% of the way to its goal. Jonathan also asks viewers to like, subscribe, and share the video, and to click on his face to subscribe to the channel, aiming for 50,139 subscribers by January 2nd.
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