Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid
Table of Contents 📖
"The Russian S-400 Triumph is Russia's most advanced air defense system. It was introduced in 2007 and received constant upgrades and updates. Countries like Turkey or India which purchased these systems are certainly amazed when realizing what they acquired. The war in Ukraine absolutely backfired for the Russian military-industrial complex."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:13⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATPG of Politics video, a Ukraine War News Update, specifically part two for May 24th, 2024, focusing on Military Aid.
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Debate: Allied Troops and Weapons in Ukraine & Russia
🎦 00:13-03:15⏩
Jonathan revisits the ongoing debate about the presence of allied troops in Ukraine and using American weapons within Russian territory. He highlights a parliamentary discussion where Alexei Goncharenko questions Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrieles Landsbergis, about the potential for allied training missions inside Ukraine.
- Landsbergis expresses Lithuania's willingness to participate in a coalition (led by France or another country) to train Ukrainian troops within Ukraine, viewing it as a logistical advantage and a form of defensive support rather than an escalation.
- Jonathan suggests this could be a missed opportunity for Lithuania to demonstrate leadership, arguing that Russia might perceive a smaller nation spearheading the coalition as less escalatory than a larger nation like France.
- He emphasizes the need to protect allied trainers in Ukraine, primarily through air defenses, as they would become prime targets for Russian attacks. This protection, he speculates, could involve air support from planes patrolling Ukrainian airspace and intercepting threats, potentially operating from neighboring countries like Poland.
Calls for Lifting Restrictions on US/Allied Weaponry
🎦 03:15-07:02⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to the restrictions imposed by the US on how Ukraine can utilize American and allied weaponry.
- He cites numerous experts and commentators, including Jimmy Rushden, Michael Weiss, and Shashank Joshi, who argue that these restrictions are outdated, illogical, and hinder Ukraine's defense efforts.
- He points out the hypocrisy in restricting Ukraine from using these weapons to strike Russian territory when Russia claims areas like Crimea and Zaporizhzhia as their own. He contends that if Russia considers these regions Russian territory, then there should be no objection to Ukraine using American weapons within those areas.
- Jonathan expresses hope that these restrictions will change, citing optimism from individuals like Francis Doney. However, he also acknowledges the possibility of resistance to such a change. He emphasizes that the decision ultimately rests with President Biden, urging him to take action.
Anticipated US Military Aid Package
🎦 07:02-08:10⏩
- Jonathan discusses an expected $275 million presidential drawdown package from the US, potentially containing additional HIMARS (or ammunition), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, and vehicles (possibly Bradleys or Strykers). He cites Colby Babis and the Associated Press as sources for this information.
UK Military Aid Package for Ukraine
🎦 08:10-09:08⏩
- Jonathan details a £150 million ($217 million) military aid package from the UK announced by Grant Shapps. The package aims to bolster Ukraine's air and sea defenses and includes air defense radars, decoys, electronic warfare systems (£70 million), small boats, reconnaissance drones, and uncrewed surface vessels (£80 million).
Norwegian/Dutch Military Aid through IFU
🎦 09:08-10:26⏩
- Jonathan outlines Norway's announcement of a $190 million military aid package for Ukraine channeled through the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), a fund supported by seven European countries. The aid will focus on enhancing Ukraine's air defense, naval capabilities, radar, anti-drone systems, and boats. He clarifies that the Netherlands is also contributing to this package, with their share being $175 million.
German Military Aid Delivery Update
🎦 10:26-13:41⏩
- Jonathan highlights the delivery of military aid previously pledged by Germany, including:
- 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks (provided jointly with Denmark)
- Machine guns, shells, and drones (including Hydrant and Vector drones)
- Beaver bridge-laying tanks and a DAX engineering vehicle
- Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicles with spare parts
- Four mine-clearing tanks with spare parts, and two mine plows
- LED lamps and sixteen Zetros trucks
- Assault rifles, precision rifles (sniper rifles), and 1.8 million rounds of ammunition
- Three HIMARS vehicles (readied for delivery)
- He also discusses a delay in the delivery of Leopard 1A5 tanks due to refurbishment issues with turrets and onboard computers. These issues, he explains, affect ammunition loading and firing. Jonathan notes that some Leopard 1A5s were delivered without functioning guns due to missing components like muzzle brakes.
- He references a Danish Ministry of Defence statement (obtained by DR Nyheder) confirming that not all refurbished Leopard 1A5 tanks have been delivered, despite over 90 being ready.
- Jonathan emphasizes that while Ukraine technically owns these tanks, they are not fully beneficial until delivered and deployed. He draws attention to a Bundeswehr demonstration from February showing a significant number of Leopard 1A5s covered up at the military site in Klietz, suggesting a backlog in deliveries. He acknowledges the positive aspect of having a substantial number of tanks awaiting delivery while lamenting the delay in their arrival and deployment.
Estonian Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine
🎦 13:41-14:19⏩
- Jonathan highlights Estonia's allocation of over €650,000 for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This aid will support the education system in frontline areas and assist children affected by the war.
Ukrainian-Developed "Salamander" UGV for Demining
🎦 14:19-14:49⏩
- Jonathan discusses a Ukrainian company's development and testing of the "Salamander" unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), designed for clearing anti-personnel mines. He points out its simple design and relatively small size, suggesting this as advantageous in minimizing replacement or repair costs if the UGV is damaged or destroyed during operations.
Ukrainian Pilots Complete F-16 Training in Arizona
🎦 14:49-15:10⏩
- Jonathan reports that Ukrainian pilots have finished their F-16 training in Arizona. He sends greetings to viewer Lynn in Arizona, who likely heard the F-16s flying overhead during the training. He anticipates a quieter period for Lynn as the pilots move to Europe for further F-16 training before being deployed in Ukraine.
Delays and Issues with GLSDB Munitions
🎦 15:10-16:43⏩
- Jonathan discusses a Reuters report indicating that Boeing needs months to fix issues with the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB). This weapon, a guided version of a "dumb" munition, is launched from systems like HIMARS, extending their range to 150 kilometers.
- While designed to overcome jamming, the GLSDB has proven less resilient than HIMARS rockets/missiles and JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions).
- He acknowledges uncertainty surrounding the identification of some munitions used in Ukraine (whether JDAMs or GLSDBs), but notes increased GLSDB usage despite its shortcomings. He also cites comments from US Undersecretary of Defense, William LaPlante, confirming issues with the GLSDB.
- Jonathan expresses disappointment over the weapon's shortcomings, as it held promise as a cost-effective solution for long-range strikes.
G7 Plan to Utilize Frozen Russian Assets
🎦 16:43-17:46⏩
- Jonathan reports that G7 countries are aligning behind a US plan to leverage frozen Russian assets, potentially securing $50 billion in funding for Ukraine's military and economic needs. This move, as reported by Jennifer Jacobs, would provide significant and crucial support for Ukraine. He clarifies that this initiative is distinct from the profits already being generated from frozen assets, which are expected to deliver the first payment to Ukraine in July.
Belgian Military Training for Ukrainian Soldiers
🎦 17:46-18:52⏩
- Jonathan highlights that Belgium has trained around 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers. He acknowledges that Belgium often faces criticism for its level of support for Ukraine (despite contributing through EU funding) and emphasizes that they have a significant arms industry capable of offering more assistance. He notes a recent increase in Belgium's contributions and expresses his lack of awareness about the training programs in Belgium.
- He elaborates that Belgium's support extends beyond training and includes deploying Belgian troops to Romania and Lithuania. The training provided by Belgium encompasses training soldiers, pilots, and technicians for F-16 combat aircraft, likely taking place in Romania where one of the training facilities is situated.
Analysis: Russian S-400 Destruction Highlights Technological Disparity
🎦 18:52-21:51⏩
- Jonathan revisits the destruction of the Russian S-400 air defense system at the Mosbino airbase, an event he previously covered. He cites information from Thomas Tyner indicating that the S-400 fired six interceptor missiles, all missing their targets, before being destroyed by Ukrainian ATACMS missiles.
- He emphasizes that the ATACMS, a 1980s technology, successfully neutralized the S-400, Russia's most advanced air defense system, highlighting a technological gap between the two countries' military capabilities.
- Jonathan quotes a tweet from Tendai stating: "The Russian S-400 battery is getting completely wiped out by ATACMS missiles. You can see the cluster ammunition covering the area. The loaded S-400 missiles almost instantly catch fire and explode in their distinctive fashion."
- He reiterates that the ATACMS used were likely the M39 Block 1 version, introduced in 1991 and based on technology from the 1980s, which has been decommissioned by the US military.
- Jonathan finds the destruction of the S-400 by older technology highly significant, emphasizing that Russia's top-of-the-range air defense system was neutralized by a system from the 1980s, even after the S-400 had the opportunity to fire its own missiles. He views this event as a testament to the effectiveness of the ATACMS and a blow to the reputation of the Russian military-industrial complex.
Jonathan's Assessment: Ukraine Holds Advantage, No Need for Negotiations
🎦 21:51-23:19⏩
- Jonathan believes that Ukraine is in a strong position and advises against rushing into negotiations with Russia. He argues that the recent attacks on Crimea (including the use of eight ATACMS missiles) demonstrate Ukraine's ability to inflict significant damage.
- He speculates that Russia's willingness to negotiate might be driven by their vulnerability to these long-range strikes.
- Jonathan believes Ukraine should continue its current strategy, focusing on inflicting damage on Russian forces and infrastructure.
Robotic Dog with Machine Gun - A Glimpse into the Future of Warfare?
🎦 23:19-23:47⏩
- In a lighter aside, Jonathan shares a video of a Chinese soldier accompanied by a robotic dog equipped with a machine gun. He remarks on the evolving nature of warfare and ponders whether this technology is a sign of things to come.
UK Defense Intelligence Update: Russian Afrika Korps Deployed in Kharkiv
🎦 23:47-25:21⏩
- Jonathan cites the UK Defense Intelligence update, which reports the deployment of units from the Russian Afrika Korps alongside regular Russian forces and Storm-Z units in an offensive in Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast. He notes previous reports from Jake Brewer about the presence of Victory Day parade vehicles on the front lines, potentially including vehicles from Azerbaijan. He interprets this as further evidence of Russia's increasingly desperate need for troops and equipment.
- He provides context about the Russian Afrika Korps, stating that it emerged in December 2023 and comprises over 2,000 regular soldiers and officers, including experienced mercenaries, many with previous ties to the Wagner Group. These detachments have likely been deployed in Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
- He highlights the deployment of Afrika Korps detachments to the Ukrainian border during an April 2024 attack, suggesting that Russia is diverting resources from its operations in Africa to reinforce its efforts in Ukraine, a move he views as indicative of their weakening position.
UK Petition: Donate Tranche 1 Typhoon Aircraft to Ukraine
🎦 25:21-26:35⏩
- Jonathan brings attention to a UK petition (number 653,640) urging the UK government to donate Tranche 1 Typhoon aircraft to Ukraine instead of dismantling them for parts. He acknowledges that while these aircraft might not be the ideal solution, they represent a viable option and encourages UK-based viewers to sign the petition to trigger a parliamentary debate.
Wrap up
🎦 26:35-26:39⏩
- Jonathan thanks viewers for watching, encourages them to like, subscribe, and share the video, and bids them farewell.