Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"They've got missiles from Iran and from North Korea and they are firing them deep into Ukraine. But Ukraine is not allowed to use these missiles from Allied nations and fire them deep into Russia...total asymmetry, Russia are taking the piss"
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:20⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to a slightly delayed video as he had his COVID and Flu jabs yesterday. He jokes about the microchip (and its capabilities!) that Bill Gates injected him with.
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Canada provides $300m loan to Ukraine
🎦 01:18-02:08⏩
Canada has agreed to a loan of $300m to Ukraine to support the Ukrainian economy. Jonathan is unsure whether this is related to the G7 loan underwritten by frozen Russian assets but suspects that it's a separate loan with an interest rate of 1.5%.
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EU proposes voluntary contributions to bypass Hungary's veto on Ukraine Aid
🎦 02:08-03:45⏩
The EU is proposing to ask member states for voluntary contributions in order to bypass Hungary's veto on aid to Ukraine. Since May 2023, $6.6bn in military assistance has been blocked by Hungary, which Jonathan describes as "Viktor Orban being an absolute noodle" going on to call him a "Giant Toad". Jonathan notes that Hungary will sign a new contract with Gazprom for gas via the Turkstream pipeline, bypassing Ukraine.
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Germany delivers previously announced Military Aid to Ukraine
🎦 03:45-07:26⏩
During a recent meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and German Chancellor Scholz, Germany pledged €170m in aid for Ukraine's energy infrastructure, a €600m military aid package (including an Iris-T SLM fire unit, IFVs, MBTs, howitzers, ammunition, and drones). Also announced was a further €1.4bn aid package in cooperation with Belgium, Denmark, and Norway which would include Skynex and Gepard air defence systems. Jonathan notes that most of the German pledges were not new and had been announced previously, although the delivery of 1 Skynex system will be delivered earlier than planned in 2024. Jonathan provides a link to an article with further details on his website.
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Denmark to finance arms production in Ukraine
🎦 07:26-10:24⏩
Denmark will set up funds to directly finance arms production in Ukraine. Jonathan uses this as an opportunity to discuss the three-tier hierarchy of military aid using Denmark as an example:
- Invest in your own Defence industry: For countries such as Denmark, the best way to provide military aid is to invest in their own domestic defence industry as this boosts the local economy and they can gift the equipment to Ukraine.
- Invest in the Ukrainian Defence Industry: This helps to boost the Ukrainian economy whilst also providing them with much-needed equipment.
- Buy from third parties: This is the least preferable option, as it involves sending money abroad, but at least Ukraine receives the equipment.
Jonathan explains that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that these investments are a strategic investment in global stability and will have a positive sum outcome for those involved.
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Norway establishes Military Attache position in Kyiv
🎦 10:24-11:32⏩
Norway has established a military attache position in Kyiv in order to improve collaboration between Norwegian and Ukrainian researchers on defence innovations.
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Slovakia to expand repair facility for Ukrainian Military equipment
🎦 11:32-13:49⏩
Despite recently elected Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russian stance and comments about it being morally wrong to provide military aid to Ukraine, Slovakia has announced that they will expand the repair facility for Ukrainian military equipment in Moldava. Jonathan notes the hypocrisy, given Fico's previous comments. Germany will finance the repairs which will provide jobs in Slovakia.
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Zelensky sums up his recent European tour
🎦 13:49-14:27⏩
Zelensky recently went on a European tour visiting London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Greece (and NATO). He sums this up as successful, resulting in new defence packages for Ukraine.
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Ukraine develops new "Stick M12" Barrage munition drone
🎦 14:27-15:27⏩
Ukrainian defence company "Militanyi" has developed a new loitering munition drone called "Stick M12" which can fly for over an hour with a range of 70km. Jonathan suggests that this could be a response to the Russian Orlan-10 drone and will be of great use as Ukraine doesn't have many long-range reconnaissance drones. The Orlan-10 can travel up to 90km behind Ukrainian lines.
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Ukraine emerges as Defence Innovation hub
🎦 15:27-20:51⏩
Ukraine has emerged as a hotbed of defence innovation attracting foreign investment. Whilst the Ukrainian government estimates that it has a $20bn capacity for weapons production, it can only fund $6bn, leaving a $14bn shortfall. The government launched the "Brave One" accelerator program in April 2023 to encourage innovation and investment. Jonathan shares the views of two investors in the Ukrainian Defence sector. Michael Hewitt (investor) notes:
- Ukraine has shifted away from a traditional defence industry to innovation in asymmetric warfare such as drone warfare.
- Ukraine needs to scale its production of weapons (from artillery shells to defence systems).
- Ukraine needs to protect its Defence Industrial base and attract further investment in innovative new technologies.
Andre Pinar (investor) notes:
- Ukraine is a leader in the use of unmanned vehicles in the air, land, and sea.
- Ukraine has excellent potential in cybersecurity which is often overlooked.
- Ukraine has a highly skilled and world-class engineering capability with many US/UK/EU companies having previously relied on them.
- There is great potential for collaboration between Western and Ukrainian cybersecurity companies which will have a positive sum game.
Jonathan notes that Brave One announced $12m of private investment in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, a modest amount but one which is expected to grow. Pinar notes that the Ukrainian government can help by easing restrictions on intellectual property rights so that Ukraine can compete on a global scale.
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US Republicans planning to cut all aid to Ukraine
🎦 20:51-23:42⏩
There have been worrying signs that US Republicans are preparing to cut all aid to Ukraine. This follows comments from Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson who said "I don't have an appetite for further Ukraine funding and I hope it's not necessary". Philip O'Brien is quoted as saying that "Republicans are preparing to cut all aid to Ukraine". Jane Keeves (journalist) is also quoted as saying "it's official as repayment to Putin the GOP will allow Russia to massacre an unarmed Ukraine". Johnson also suggested that if Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election he would be able to swiftly end the war and that he doesn't think the war will end if Kamala Harris is president. Following these comments, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia will destroy Ukraine no matter what deal Trump makes with Putin. Jonathan believes that this comment undermines both Trump and Johnson's claims. A link to the Punchbowl News article "The World According to Mike Johnson" by Max24 is provided.
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Russia to expand drone program
🎦 23:42-29:27⏩
Russia is finally taking steps to systemise the use of drones in combat following a visit by Defence Minister Shoigu to the "Rubicon" centre for advanced unmanned technologies which was set up in August 2024. The centre develops, tests, and researches unmanned technology and AI and has been tasked with training drone operators. Shoigu has called for a new Military Occupational Speciality for UAV pilots in the Russian MOD, noting that it is vital Russia increases its expertise in this area if they are to prevail. Jonathan notes that this has been long overdue and something that Ukraine has been doing well, resulting in an asymmetry between the two countries. This follows complaints from Russian volunteers who have been designing many of the tactics used by the MOD, resulting in a lack of coordination. The new centre aims to learn from their expertise as well as cooperate with them going forwards. Jonathan notes that this is similar to what is happening in Ukraine. Up until now, drone training was limited to ISR drones but this will be expanded to all types of drones, especially at the tactical level. The Rubicon centre is to be expanded and 5 new drone detachments are to be formed. They will operate in the Donetsk, Belgorod, and Kursk regions.
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North Korea to send troops to Ukraine
🎦 30:20-32:07⏩
In further worrying news, the Washington Post reports that several thousand North Korean soldiers have been training in Russia and could be deployed to the front lines by the end of the year. They will likely be used to replace Russian troops in border regions allowing Russia to redeploy these to the front lines. Jonathan is shocked by this escalation which will see North Korean troops fighting and dying in Ukraine for Russia. This follows news that North Korea has been training Russian troops on missile technology as part of a new bilateral agreement. Jonathan is frustrated by Western inaction and hypocrisy given that it has been reluctant to escalate, allowing Russia to act with impunity.
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Wrap up
🎦 32:07-32:20⏩
Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to like, share and subscribe. He'll be back soon with his hits and losses update.
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