Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"Russia get a free pass. It's all about, oh, we're the ones escalating by standing up to the bully. But it should be morally obligatory that we come to Ukraine's aid, as well as strategically important, both factors which they appear to ignore."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:11⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics video. Today's video is the second part of the Ukraine War Update for September 18th, 2024, and will focus on Military Aid News.
Return to top⤴️
Toropets Ammunition Depot Explosion - Potential Use of Ukrainian Rocket Drone
🎦 00:11-03:24⏩
Jonathan analyses footage of the massive explosion at the Toropets ammunition depot, speculating whether a Ukrainian-made rocket drone was responsible for the strike, given the sound of the impact. He playfully references the intelligence chief, Bulganov, for insights.
Return to top⤴️
European Pressure on US to Lift Restrictions on Long-Range Missile Use
🎦 03:24-05:45⏩
- Dozens of European lawmakers sent a letter to Joe Biden urging him to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons for strikes deep inside Russia, reflecting European desperation for this action.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also expressed support for this move.
- French MEP Nathalie Loiseau criticises the West's hesitation, stating Ukraine is fighting with its hands tied due to restrictions.
- UK officials, including David Lammy and Keir Starmer, travelled to Washington and Italy seeking support for this position.
- The UK will not act unilaterally, but France and Italy are potential allies for long-range missile provision.
Condemnation of RFK Jr. and Donald Trump Jr.'s Call for Negotiations
🎦 05:45-08:01⏩
Jonathan expresses frustration with RFK Jr. and Donald Trump Jr.'s plea for negotiations with Moscow, deeming it appeasement of Russia and a concession to Putin's nuclear threats. He argues their stance ignores the moral imperative and strategic importance of aiding Ukraine, and fails to acknowledge Russia's aggression.
Return to top⤴️
Estonian Defence Minister's Call for Unlimited Western Aid and Analysis of Nuclear Deterrence
🎦 07:33-12:40⏩
- Jonathan cites Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur's call for the West to give Ukraine everything it needs, including air defence systems and long-range strike capabilities.
- Jonathan, acknowledging a comment from viewer C. Stout, discusses the potential consequences of a Russian nuclear strike. He questions whether such an action is in Russia's best interests.
- He analyses the potential response of the US and global powers to a nuclear strike on Ukraine, concluding that it would result in severe economic and diplomatic isolation for Russia, a potential no-fly zone, and possible strikes on Russian military assets globally.
Finland's Call for UN Security Council Reform
🎦 12:40-13:22⏩
Jonathan highlights Finland's proposal for UN Security Council reform, advocating for expanding membership, eliminating veto power, and expelling members involved in illegal wars. He encourages viewers to watch his previous video with Talaria for a deeper analysis of Russia's questionable position on the UN Security Council.
Return to top⤴️
Italy to Deliver SAMP/T Air Defence System to Ukraine
🎦 13:22-13:49⏩
Jonathan reports that Italy will deliver the promised SAMP/T air defence system to Ukraine by the end of September. This delivery is part of a larger pledge made during a NATO summit, where Ukraine is yet to receive most of the promised systems.
Return to top⤴️
France Develops New Anti-Ballistic Missile System: Mamba
🎦 13:49-16:29⏩
- Jonathan reports on France's development of a new air defence system, the Mamba, expected to be operational by 2025. This system is touted as superior to the Patriot, offering multi-layered anti-aircraft, anti-ballistic, and anti-drone capabilities.
- The Mamba uses the Aster 30 missile, claimed to be the most effective in the world against ballistic missiles, including hypersonic ones.
- France will have 12 operational systems by 2035, with a possible 4 more to be ordered in 2027.
- Jonathan notes the possibility of standard SAMP/T systems being provided to Ukraine once newer systems are deployed.
Germany to Increase Military Aid to Ukraine
🎦 16:29-17:40⏩
- Germany is in talks to provide additional military aid to Ukraine, with a decision expected by the end of the week.
- This increase, totalling several hundred million Euros, will supplement the existing German aid budget for Ukraine in 2024.
- Jonathan notes that Germany often revises its aid upwards throughout the year.
- He highlights a detailed article on DEAIDUA.org about Germany's upcoming military assistance.
Sweden to Boost Defence Spending
🎦 17:40-18:36⏩
- Sweden announces increased defence spending to 2.4% of GDP, exceeding the NATO target of 2%, partly in response to the war in Ukraine.
- The increase, exceeding 170 billion kronor between 2025 and 2030, aims to equip Sweden for a more challenging security environment.
- Jonathan highlights the strategic importance of Sweden and Finland joining NATO due to their geographic location and military capabilities.
France to Modify Mirage 2000-5s for Ground Attack Capabilities
🎦 18:36-20:28⏩
- France will modify some of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, originally intended for air-to-air combat, to enable ground attack capabilities before delivery to Ukraine, as reported by Sudouest.fr.
- The first batch of modified Mirages is expected to arrive in Ukraine by the end of 2024.
- Jonathan highlights the significance of this modification, providing Ukraine with greater offensive capabilities and versatility in air operations.
- He emphasizes the need for Ukraine to receive a continuous supply of various aircraft, such as F-16s and Mirages, to counter Russian air defences and carry out both defensive and offensive missions effectively.
Exploiting Supply Chain Vulnerabilities in Warfare
🎦 20:28-22:35⏩
- Jonathan discusses recent reports of Israel's Mossad exploiting supply chains to sabotage Iranian missile production, drawing parallels to the Stuxnet attack that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
- He questions whether Ukraine could employ similar tactics to disrupt Russia's military supply chains and hinder its war efforts.
- Jonathan acknowledges the long-shot nature of this possibility but suggests that Ukraine's potential network outside its borders and past experiences with unconventional warfare could offer opportunities.
Shoigu's Visit to Iran - A Sign of Russia's Desperation
🎦 22:35-26:27⏩
- Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's unannounced visit to Iran following his trips to North Korea and China is interpreted by Jonathan as a sign of Russia's desperation for military equipment and assistance.
- Jonathan employs abductive reasoning, analysing the situation by considering the most plausible explanation for Shoigu's actions.
- He concludes that Russia's reliance on external allies for military supplies suggests a dire need due to the depletion of their own resources.
- This raises concerns about the potential for Iran and North Korea to supply Russia with more weapons. However, Jonathan notes that these countries likely face limitations in their ability to meet Russia's demands.
Analysis of Toropets Explosion - Corruption and Inadequate Safety Measures
🎦 26:27-31:37⏩
- Jonathan, citing a Twitter thread by Chris O'Wickey, revisits the Toropets ammunition depot explosion, attributing it to corruption and inadequate safety protocols within the Russian military.
- He highlights the arrest of former Deputy Defence Minister Dmitry Bulgakov, responsible for the facility's construction, on fraud charges.
- Despite Bulgakov's claims of the site being able to withstand missile strikes and even nuclear explosions, Jonathan points out the evident failures in fire safety, evidenced by the scale of the destruction.
- He suggests that inadequate construction, insufficient protection against fire and explosions, and the close proximity of storage facilities likely contributed to the devastating chain reaction.
Impact of Toropets Explosion on Russia's War Capabilities
🎦 31:37-32:55⏩
- Jonathan compares the contrasting strengths of Ukraine and its Western allies versus Russia and its limited allies, emphasizing the importance of collective capabilities in producing and safely storing military equipment.
- He speculates that the Toropets explosion will significantly hinder Russia's ability to sustain its war effort in Ukraine, potentially disrupting supplies of missiles, rockets, and ammunition.
- He notes analysts' estimates of up to 30,000 tons of ordnance being destroyed, which could have a 'monumental effect' on Russia's military operations.
Wrap up
🎦 32:55-32:58⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by thanking viewers for watching and bidding them farewell.
Return to top⤴️