Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News

"It's quite depressing that we're thinking goodness me we need to be banging out 155 mil shells from now until 2034 you know what does this say about the state of the world and about where we are at the moment and where we are going"

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:28⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to part 2 of his Ukraine War update and apologises for the length of his recent videos, explaining that this is because there is so much to cover.

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Russian S300/400 Battery destroyed by HIMARS - Belgorod

🎦 00:28-02:25⏩

Jonathan reports that a HIMARS strike may have destroyed an S300/400 system in Belgorod, Russia, possibly in the same location as a supposed market hit previously. Evidence suggests two launchers and one or two command vehicles were destroyed. This is significant as it enables the use of HIMARS within Belgorod and Kursk. He notes the minimal distance between Belgorod and Kharkiv, highlighting the difficulty Ukrainian forces face in defending against these types of attacks.

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Greece admits to training Ukrainian pilots to use F-16s - Kyiv

🎦 02:25-03:37⏩

Media reports confirm the presence of at least one Greek Air Force specialist in Kyiv training Ukrainian pilots to operate donated F-16 fighter jets. Jonathan finds it interesting that Greece has not been mentioned much throughout the war, despite possessing a significant amount of Soviet-era equipment that could be transferred to Ukraine. Previous reports suggested a potential exchange of this equipment for Western fighters, but this was later retracted, possibly due to Greece's complex relationship with Turkey and concerns over Cyprus. Jonathan believes Greece could become a substantial supporter of Ukraine in terms of military aid, provided they receive adequate backfilling for any equipment transferred.

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Romania reconsiders transferring Patriot System to Ukraine

🎦 03:37-06:12⏩

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced the country is reconsidering providing Ukraine with a Patriot missile system, a decision they were initially hesitant about. Ciolacu emphasized the importance of expert consultation and proper institutional channels for this decision, given its potential impact on Romania's defence and NATO relations. Jonathan believes Romania would likely agree to the transfer if NATO provides assurances regarding continued air defence capabilities within their borders. He underscores Romania's strategic importance as a NATO member on the alliance's eastern edge. He compares this with Turkey's strategic positioning within NATO and their control of the Bosphorus Straits, highlighting the geopolitical significance of both countries. In contrast to Romania's pro-NATO stance, Jonathan criticizes Hungary's alignment with Russia and suggests potential consequences for its EU membership, a topic he plans to discuss in a future video. He hints at Belgium, currently holding the rotating EU presidency, potentially initiating a move to revoke Hungary's voting rights due to their anti-EU and anti-NATO stance.

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Lithuania: HIMARS Service Centre to be opened

🎦 06:12-06:37⏩

Jonathan highlights the establishment of a HIMARS service center in Romania, a first for Europe. This center will cater to the maintenance and repair needs of HIMARS systems, not only for Romania but also for neighboring countries, including Ukraine. This development is particularly significant considering Poland's recent substantial investment in HIMARS units, as they would now have a closer maintenance facility compared to shipping units back to the US.

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Lithuania: Update on Provision of 6 Amber 1800 Air Surveillance Radars to Ukraine

🎦 06:37-07:29⏩

Lithuania, as part of the German-led initiative for air defence provision to Ukraine, had previously pledged six Amber 1800 air surveillance radars. It has now come to light that these radars are yet to be built. These radars, costing €13.5 million, represent Lithuania's contribution to the initiative and are scheduled for complete delivery to Ukraine within a year, aiming for mid-2025. This delivery timeframe suggests a production rate of approximately one radar every two months. However, it remains unclear whether Lithuania has a prototype ready for immediate deployment or if production will begin from scratch.

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Germany: Berlin Public Transport Company donates 12 trams to Lviv

🎦 07:29-08:13⏩

Berlin's public transport company, BVG, is donating 12 Tatra trams to bolster Lviv's public transport network. Prior to this donation and the ongoing war, Lviv had procured several Tatra vehicles from BVG. BVG also previously donated gearboxes and spare parts specifically for these trams. Jonathan ponders whether BVG sponsors a Bundesliga team, specifically Bayern Munich, before acknowledging the irrelevance of this thought to the current topic.

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Germany/Lithuania: Rheinmetall to build ammunition factory - Details/Analysis

🎦 08:13-10:18⏩

Further details are emerging regarding Rheinmetall's plan to construct a 155mm artillery ammunition factory in Lithuania, a project initiated to boost ammunition production. While the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in mid-April, new information reveals the investment exceeding €180 million. Construction is slated to commence in October 2024, with the factory expected to generate at least 150 jobs in Lithuania. The precise location remains undisclosed but state-owned land presently leased by the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences near Brasovgala is considered a likely candidate. Jonathan views this development positively but ponders the long-term implications, questioning Rheinmetall's rationale for such a significant investment and what it signifies for the future security landscape. He highlights the factory's significance for both Ukraine and NATO, signifying a potential long-term commitment to supplying 155mm artillery shells, possibly extending to 2034. This leads him to reflect on the current state of global affairs and the trajectory of the international order.

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Ukraine: Philanthropist Howard Buffet to fund the rebuilding of Druk Printing House - Kharkiv

🎦 10:18-11:36⏩

Jonathan shares the positive news that the Druk printing house in Kharkiv, which was tragically destroyed in a recent Russian attack, will be rebuilt. The attack on the printing house, which resulted in the loss of 50,000 books, including one belonging to a deceased soldier that was being reprinted, deeply saddened many. Philanthropist Howard Buffett, son of Warren Buffett, has stepped forward to fund the purchase of the equipment required for its reconstruction. Jonathan expresses gratitude towards Howard Buffett for his continued support of Ukraine and the Kharkiv region.

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Jonathan's take on Philanthropy: Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and George Soros

🎦 11:36-17:26⏩

Jonathan delves into the topic of philanthropy, focusing on Howard Buffett's significant contributions to Ukraine, totaling a substantial sum over several years. He observes that certain millionaires reach a point where they feel compelled to use their wealth for a greater purpose beyond personal gain, aiming to make a positive impact on the world. He cites Bill and Melinda Gates' efforts in combating malaria through their foundation and highlights both Warren and Howard Buffett's diverse philanthropic endeavors worldwide. Jonathan then shifts his attention to George Soros, acknowledging his polarizing reputation, particularly among right-wing circles where he is often vilified. He references a 2019 BBC article titled "Why is billionaire George Soros a bogeyman for the hard right?" and posits that the American hard right has been influenced by Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting Soros. Jonathan argues that Soros's vilification in the US stems from his earlier demonization in Eastern Europe, particularly in Hungary and Russia. He points to the animosity between Soros and Viktor Orban, attributing it to their clashing ideologies: Orban's authoritarianism versus Soros's support for liberal democracies. Soros's Jewish heritage, combined with his immense wealth, makes him an easy target for far-right, ultra-nationalist, and authoritarian figures like Orban, who exploit anti-Semitic tropes and conspiracy theories to discredit Soros's support for democratic values. Jonathan acknowledges that while there might be legitimate criticisms of Soros's actions or political stances, much of the vitriol directed at him is rooted in disinformation propagated by sources like Fox News and Tucker Carlson. He challenges viewers to critically examine the sources of their information, particularly concerning Soros, and to question the accuracy of narratives that solely portray him negatively. Jonathan emphasizes Soros's substantial financial contributions to Ukraine—over $100 million between 1990 and 2010—demonstrating his commitment to fostering liberal democracy in the country since the fall of the Soviet Union. He further underscores Soros's warning about the potential global ramifications of the Ukrainian conflict, potentially escalating into a Third World War and bolstering Russia's imperial ambitions. Jonathan cites a February 2023 Reuters report where Soros predicted that a Russian defeat in Ukraine could lead to the dissolution of their empire, whereas a Russian victory would further fuel their expansionist goals. He highlights Soros's Open Society Foundations, which has donated over $230 million to Ukrainian causes over the past decade, surpassing any other European nation in terms of funding. Jonathan concludes by urging viewers to look beyond the polarized rhetoric surrounding Soros and recognize his substantial contributions to Ukraine, regardless of their personal opinions about him. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking, particularly when encountering inflammatory or emotionally charged information, to discern truth from disinformation.

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Russia: Russian Soldier describes impact of Ukrainian drone warfare - Avdiivka

🎦 17:26-23:26⏩

Jonathan shares insights from a Russian source, "Project Archangel", highlighting the impact of Ukrainian drones on Russian military operations. The source, a volunteer effort, provides a translated account from a Russian soldier, lamenting the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone warfare, particularly in the Avdiivka region. The soldier describes Ukrainian drone attacks as relentless, stating their forces are consistently outmatched in this domain. He reveals that Ukrainian forces deploy drones in significant numbers, overwhelming Russian defences and inflicting heavy losses. He cites the use of specialized drone units working in conjunction with combined arms reserves, allowing for a flexible and responsive defence against Russian offensives. He describes Ukrainian drone tactics as adaptable, changing based on the situation. He notes their forces typically withdraw from forward positions under heavy Russian artillery fire to minimize casualties. As Russian troops advance to occupy these seemingly abandoned positions, they are then targeted by a combination of artillery, mortars, FPV drones, and automatic weapons, often forcing them to retreat, after which Ukrainian forces launch counterattacks to retake lost ground. This account underscores the crucial role of drones in Ukraine's defence, enabling them to counter Russia's larger military force. The soldier criticizes the lack of preparedness and inadequate countermeasures within the Russian military, highlighting a lack of electronic warfare capabilities, insufficient air defence systems, and inadequate training for troops to effectively counter drone threats. He laments that crucial equipment, like drone detectors and electronic warfare systems, are often acquired through volunteer efforts or at the expense of soldiers themselves, reflecting a systemic failure in providing adequate support for frontline troops. This account reveals that despite Russia's recent efforts to address their shortcomings in drone warfare, these improvements have come too late and are insufficient to offset Ukraine's advantage in this domain.

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Analysis: Ukrainian Drone Warfare

🎦 23:26-24:48⏩

Jonathan emphasizes that the Ukrainian forces have a significant advantage in drone warfare, as consistently highlighted by various sources. He believes that Ukrainian drone operations are causing more disruption to the Russian military than vice versa. He describes their tactics as a combination of strategic withdrawals, effective use of artillery and drone strikes, and well-coordinated counter-offensives, which have successfully stalled Russian advancements in key areas. This assessment underscores Ukraine's adaptability and effectiveness in leveraging readily available technology to counter Russia's military superiority. However, he also acknowledges the concerning implication that Russia has recently made advancements in counter-drone warfare, potentially posing a future challenge to Ukraine's current advantage.

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China: Attempts to buy drone jamming equipment for Russia

🎦 24:48-27:02⏩

Jonathan discusses a Financial Times report revealing China's attempts to procure drone jamming equipment for Russia. The attempt involved a government-linked trade association in Guangdong province, highlighting the close ties between the two countries despite Western concerns over China's potential military support for Russia. The association, established in 2023 to facilitate trade between Russian buyers and Chinese suppliers for a wide range of goods, inadvertently exposed their intentions through a since-deleted social media post seeking drone-jamming technology. The post, which sought "quite interference generators, drone detectors, drone suppressors and communication frequency band jammers", specifically mentioned the "Bulak" drone detector, a Russian-made system known to be used in Ukraine. This revelation indicates China's willingness to assist Russia in countering the very drone threat they are struggling with. Jonathan believes that this discovery will likely trigger responses from the US Treasury and the EU, potentially leading to increased pressure on China to cease such activities. He concludes by emphasizing China's critical role in potentially enabling a Russian victory, cautioning that Russia's success in Ukraine is increasingly dependent on China's willingness to provide material support.

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Wrap Up

🎦 27:02-27:03⏩

Jonathan thanks viewers for watching, asks them to like, subscribe and share the video and says goodbye.

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