Ukraine War Live News Update: Military Aid, Geopolitical News, & Chat

"If Russia is paying American podcasters $400,000 a month, just imagine what these guys are getting."

Hello Team

🎦 00:01-01:54⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers from the south of England. He mentions an upcoming Ramstein meeting and that Greg Terry, who is featured in the thumbnail, will be delivering Snatch Land Rovers to Ukraine. He comments on how dedicated his viewers are, referencing a comment from the previous day where someone said watching his videos is "like crack". He jokes about becoming the "pied piper of Birmingham" to help people escape the addictive qualities of geopolitics.

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Pavlovrad Hit with Ballistic Missiles

🎦 01:54-03:29⏩

Jonathan mentions the attack on Pavlovrad earlier that morning, claiming that five ballistic missiles hit the city. He refers to a potential use of North Korean ballistic missiles, specifically KN-23 models, and notes the devastating impact on civilian infrastructure with numerous injuries and one fatality. Jonathan warns viewers to be cautious about videos circulating online that appear to show Ukrainian soldiers giving humanitarian aid to an elderly woman who refuses it, as he believes these videos are fabricated.

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BBC Series on Zelensky

🎦 03:29-04:06⏩

Jonathan mentions a new BBC series on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, entitled "Zelensky: Comedian, Actor, President, War Leader: In His Own Words: The Extraordinary Life of One of the World's Most Recognizable Leaders and How War in Ukraine Changed Everything". He encourages UK viewers to watch it and share their thoughts on the series.

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US Military Aid to Ukraine

🎦 04:06-09:48⏩

Jonathan discusses the Biden administration's urgent talks with Congress to secure $6 billion in military aid for Ukraine before the September 30th deadline. He explains the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the US to draw from its own stock of weapons, providing an example of how this mechanism works. He believes the delay in aid could be politically motivated, as the Biden administration may not want to be seen as providing excessive support to Ukraine during the election campaign. He also highlights the US Department of Defense's concerns about depleting its own stocks due to supply chain issues. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of continuing support for Ukraine and quotes Democratic Senator Blumenthal and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on the bipartisan support for Ukrainian aid. He notes that aid from the US has dropped compared to previous years, making the current situation a concern. He goes on to discuss the upcoming Ramstein meeting, where Ukraine's allies will be meeting to discuss Ukraine's needs and what they can provide. Jonathan highlights Zelensky's statement that Ukraine needs all the announced support packages to finally reach the combat brigades and that they need long-range decisions. He then talks about the US announcing a $250 million aid package for Ukraine, which includes artillery ammunition, high-mass ammunition, and other necessities. He refers to the realignment of $550 million in previously reprogrammed replacement plant funds from the Ukraine supplemental to procure JASM-ERs (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles), explaining that this process often involves the US upgrading its own inventory while providing older versions of weapons to Ukraine.

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Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands Provide Additional Tanks to Ukraine

🎦 09:48-14:52⏩

Jonathan discusses the planned provision of 77 Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands to Ukraine. He clarifies that these are not the newest Leopard 2 tanks but are still valuable as they can be upgraded with fire control systems and optics, providing an advantage over Russian systems. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of optics in allowing crews to spot the enemy before being spotted themselves, making these older tanks still effective. He believes these tanks will be an addition to what has already been promised.

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Canadian Military Aid to Ukraine

🎦 14:52-15:23⏩

Jonathan announces Canada's provision of a large batch of engines for unguided aircraft missiles, along with 1,300 warheads. He speculates that this might be related to the Palencia rocket drone, suggesting that Canada might be supplying the crucial components for the drone.

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Germany Provides Panzer Howitzer 2000s to Ukraine

🎦 15:23-16:46⏩

Jonathan reports that Germany will supply Ukraine with 12 more Panzer Howitzer 2000 self-propelled artillery systems. He discusses the delivery schedule, noting that six will arrive in 2024, another six in 2025, and 18 in 2026 and 2027. He acknowledges that this is great news but questions whether Ukraine needs these systems urgently rather than in the long term.

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UK Provides LLM Missiles to Ukraine

🎦 16:46-18:23⏩

Jonathan shares the UK's decision to supply 650 Lightweight Multi-Role Missile (LLM) systems to Ukraine to boost the country's air defense capabilities. He describes these as "analogs to the Hellfire rocket" and states that they will be super useful for the Ukrainians. He notes that these missiles can be used both on shoulder mounts and vehicles, with examples like the Stormer HVM Short-range Air Defence system.

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Swedish Aid to Ukraine

🎦 18:23-18:44⏩

Jonathan announces Sweden's allocation of $49 million to support heating and electricity supply in Ukraine, which is crucial with the onset of winter. He states that the aid is aimed at helping the most vulnerable people in the country.

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US Restrictions on Deep Strikes into Russia

🎦 18:44-21:27⏩

Jonathan delves into the controversial topic of US restrictions on Ukrainian weapons being fired into Russia. He explains that the Pentagon spokesperson, Singh, attributed these restrictions, at least partly, to the scarcity of ATACMs (Army Tactical Missile System) and concerns over escalation. However, Jonathan disagrees with Singh's claim that 90% of Russian airfields are out of range, pointing out that those planes were in range when Ukraine desperately needed to fire at them. He also argues that the remaining 10% of targets still represent a significant threat. He believes that worries about escalation are likely the primary reason for the restrictions.

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Zelensky's Address to Ramstein Contact Group

🎦 21:27-27:32⏩

Jonathan analyzes Zelensky's address to the Ramstein Contact Group, highlighting Zelensky's frustration with the lack of long-range weapons and the restrictions imposed on Ukrainian strikes into Russia. Zelensky describes a successful Ukrainian operation in Kursk, claiming that they have taken control of over 1,300 square kilometers and 100 settlements. He also details Russian losses, stating that Russia has lost 6,000 soldiers in Kursk alone, alongside tens of thousands more in other war zones. Zelensky emphasizes that Russia's priority is territorial gains in Ukraine rather than securing its own borders, citing the Russian refusal to move troops from Donetsk to Kursk. Zelensky emphasizes the need for increased weaponry to drive Russian forces out of Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region. He highlights the importance of rapid delivery of pledged support packages and the need for a stronger fleet of F-16s. He reiterates the importance of long-range capabilities for Ukraine's security. Jonathan expresses sympathy for Zelensky's frustration, highlighting the lack of cooperation on long-range weaponry and the continued attacks on Ukrainian cities with surface-to-air missiles. He points out that the inability to strike these airplanes is detrimental to Ukraine's defenses. Jonathan notes that Zelensky even implies that Ukraine is not even allowed to strike targets in Crimea, a statement that Jonathan finds bizarre.

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Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Urges Lifting of Restrictions on Long-Range Weapons

🎦 27:32-28:19⏩

Jonathan reports on Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Stefan Chuk's (Kovnerada speaker) plea to Mike Johnson, the Speaker for the majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives, to lift restrictions on long-range weapons. He mentions that Mike Johnson has previously indicated support for lifting these restrictions. This indicates potential pressure on the US administration from both Ukrainian officials and within the US Congress itself.

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Mark Kelly Calls for Reconsideration of Weapons Restrictions

🎦 28:19-31:57⏩

Jonathan shares Mark Kelly's call for a reevaluation of weapons restrictions, suggesting that he believes Ukraine should be allowed to use weapons deeper into Russia. He describes this as a form of soft pressure on the Biden administration. He believes that Kelly, who is a potential candidate for a Harris administration, is likely to support lifting restrictions on long-range weapons if he becomes part of the administration. Jonathan also notes Kelly's statement about the "conditions near the front line and territory, Ukraine is currently slowly losing," implying that the current situation necessitates a change in policy. He highlights that a Harris administration, while preferable to a Trump administration on Ukraine, will likely not be identical to the Biden approach, which is seen as too hesitant about escalation. Jonathan concludes that a Harris administration is likely to be more supportive of Ukraine and could possibly allow for deeper strikes into Russia.

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New Ukrainian Guided Air Bomb

🎦 31:57-33:43⏩

Jonathan shares a video of a test flight of a Ukrainian Su-24 with a new, previously unseen Ukrainian guided air bomb, paired with a Su-27. He notes that this signifies that Ukraine has designed and manufactured its own guided air bomb, reducing their reliance on JDAMS (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) and AASM Hammers from France. He expresses hope that this new weapon is resilient to jamming.

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US and European Companies Collaborate on Ukraine's Air-to-Air and Surface-to-Air Missiles

🎦 33:43-35:05⏩

Jonathan discusses a report from Max 24 that the United States is working with Ukraine to design and build substitutes for the S-300 surface-to-air missile system and the R-27 air-to-air missile. He explains that the Ukrainians currently use older versions of these missiles, which are inferior to Russian counterparts, giving the Russians an advantage in air combat. Jonathan believes that a longer-range air-to-air missile, if developed quickly, would allow Ukraine to challenge Russian airspace more effectively, even without newer Western jets. He also highlights the challenge of creating a new surface-to-air missile system like the S-300, noting that such projects often take years of research and development.

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Russian Drones Immune to Jamming

🎦 35:05-36:14⏩

Jonathan talks about Russian drones that are immune to electronic warfare jamming. He describes these drones as using fiber optic cables for control and video, with spools containing up to 10 kilometers of cable. He acknowledges that these drones are a significant development for Russia but wonders if Ukraine is also working on similar countermeasures. Jonathan highlights the importance of electronic warfare countermeasures for both sides.

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Thanks and Live Chat

🎦 36:14-39:06⏩

Jonathan expresses thanks to several viewers for their support, including Richard Bennett, The Weasel, Ruben Kuiper, Blonde Bombsheller, and Paddy Pliner. He then transitions to interacting with viewers in the live chat. He mentions Cheryl Whatley, who was watching Mark Kelly on Stephen Colbert, and Jason Cowley, who calls Jonathan his "drug of choice".

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YouTube Notifications and JMT Politico's Comment

🎦 39:06-40:07⏩

Jonathan addresses viewers' concerns about YouTube notifications not being sent out for his videos. He expresses his belief that YouTube may be deliberately hindering notifications. He then moves on to a comment from JMT Politico, who suggests that the US might be working on new radars for Russian jets as part of their collaboration on new long-range missiles. Jonathan agrees that this makes sense, as the Russian jets currently have a limited range.

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DOJ Indictment of Russian-Funded Influencers

🎦 40:07-44:19⏩

Jonathan dives into the DOJ indictment of influencers and media outlets that were funded, either directly or indirectly, by the Russian government. He shares an excerpt from a security expert, Chris Krebs, who describes the indictment as a "Tom Clancy-like story" of foreign security services manipulating US political discourse. Krebs argues that the indictment is evidence of a larger Russian disinformation campaign that extends beyond the individuals named in the indictment. Jonathan emphasizes Krebs's point that if the US has found $10 million being directed towards these influencers, then there is likely much more money going to larger, more influential figures. He expresses concern about the impact of this disinformation on the overall information environment.

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Fox News's Downplaying of Disinformation Scandal

🎦 44:19-50:32⏩

Jonathan discusses Fox News's handling of the Russian disinformation scandal, pointing out that they have downplayed the issue, attributing it to a Democratic political stunt rather than a genuine Russian operation. He highlights how Fox News has been selective in their reporting, as they did not cover Republican speakers at the Democratic National Convention. He provides an example of Jesse Watters's dismissal of the scandal, which he believes reflects the broader Fox News approach. He quotes Jake Brose, who ironically notes that Fox News hosts are upset about podcasters being paid by the Kremlin while they receive no payment for similar content.

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Jessica Tarlow's Discussion on "The Five"

🎦 50:32-50:40⏩

Jonathan expresses admiration for Jessica Tarlow, a liberal commentator on the Fox News show "The Five", who is often subjected to harassment and haranguing by the four conservative hosts. He highlights her ability to hold her own and deliver factual information. Jonathan acknowledges that Fox News's handling of the scandal demonstrates their reluctance to acknowledge it as a genuine problem.

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Russian Influence on Influencers

🎦 50:40-51:22⏩

Jonathan follows up on Chris Krebs's suggestion that the Russian government is likely spending significantly more on influencing larger figures. He points out that if Russia is paying American podcasters $400,000 a month, it's reasonable to assume that they are paying even more to prominent figures like Russell Brand and Tucker Carlson. He expresses concern that Brand, who has recently become more outspoken on conspiracy theories and has been vocal about the war in Ukraine, might be vulnerable to Russian influence, particularly as he has lost significant opportunities in TV and film following sexual abuse allegations.

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DOJ Tracking Recipients of Russian Funds

🎦 51:22-52:45⏩

Jonathan reports that the DOJ is tracking down the recipients of Russian funds in the influence operation. He shares a quote from an RNC member who advises her colleagues not to speak with law enforcement without counsel, highlighting the potential for panic among those implicated in the operation.

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Russian Influence Beyond North America

🎦 52:45-55:41⏩

Jonathan emphasizes that Russian influence operations are not limited to North America and points out that they have been active throughout the world since 2014. He cites examples such as a German journalist who received €600,000 from a Putin ally, demonstrating how the Russian government's influence extends beyond social media. He also mentions that Samuel Charrop, a prominent Ukraine skeptic, was allowed into the White House during the Biden administration, suggesting a potential influence on White House policy. He also speculates that Russell Brand could be part of the Russian government's paid influencer program.

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Examples of Russian Propaganda and Influence

🎦 55:41-58:04⏩

Jonathan provides further examples of Russian propaganda and influence, citing individuals who have been accused of spreading pro-Russian narratives or have potentially been recipients of Russian funding. He mentions Michael Tracy, who promotes the false narrative that the Allies continued Hitler's genocide after World War II, and Elon Musk, who has been accused of amplifying anti-Ukrainian screeds. He also mentions Tristan Tate, Andrew Tate's brother, who has been investigated for sex trafficking in Romania. Jonathan shares a tweet from Tristan Tate, which he considers the most ridiculously dishonest Ukraine narrative, claiming that the 2014 Ukrainian government was a CIA-led coup that banned all other political parties and murdered ethnic Russians. He argues that this is complete nonsense.

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Russian Influence on British Politicians

🎦 58:04-59:23⏩

Jonathan expands on the issue of Russian influence, discussing its impact on British politicians. He cites Nigel Farage, who was once a contributor to RT (Russia Today), and speculates on the potential influence of Russian money on other British politicians. He believes that the issue of Russian influence is not limited to individuals but has implications for larger political structures.

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Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene's Connections to Tara Reid

🎦 59:23-59:52⏩

Jonathan highlights a connection between Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Tara Reid, who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault and later became a supporter of Russia. He notes that Gaetz and Greene, who both have close ties to the Republican Party, expressed strong support for Reid's accusations against Biden and then found themselves working closely with her. He wonders if they might be influenced by Russian interests.

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Rand Paul and Russian Influence

🎦 59:52-01:00⏩
:10
Jonathan discusses the connection between Rand Paul, a US senator known for his anti-Ukraine stance, and Russian influence. He notes that Paul's campaign manager was convicted of taking Russian money and that one of his advisors, Dmitry Symes, has been indicted as a Russian spy. He also points out that Paul's father, Ron Paul, had a weekly TV show on RT. He concludes that this network of connections raises significant concerns about the extent of Russian influence within the US government.

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Lauren Chen and Tenant Media Indictment

🎦 01:00:10-01:01⏩
:09⏩
Jonathan provides further details on the DOJ indictment of Lauren Chen and her husband's company, Tenant Media. He shares the indictment's allegations that the company received over $10 million from the Russian government for engaging in a Russian influence operation. He notes that Chen has been fired from The Blaze and that Taylor Hansen, who was also associated with Tenant Media, has also lost his job. He highlights the desperation of these individuals, who have been found to be associated with Russian money, as they try to salvage their careers.

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Tim Pool's Shift in Stance on Ukraine

🎦 01:01:09-01:03⏩
:13⏩
Jonathan discusses Tim Pool's apparent shift in stance on Ukraine. He notes that Pool has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda and has previously denied knowledge of the Russian origins of the funds he received. He then discusses Pool's recent statements that Ukraine is a "breadbasket of Europe" and that Russia is committing crimes against humanity, suggesting that Pool has done a complete 180. Jonathan speculates that Pool may be lying either in his previous pro-Russian statements or in his current pro-Ukrainian ones, or potentially both, making him a "grifter" who is afraid of losing his financial support from Russia. He acknowledges that Pool is using a Ukrainian flag in his bio, making his intentions unclear.

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Trump's Criticism of Biden-Harris Iran Policy and Support for Lifting Sanctions on Russia

🎦 01:03:13-01:04⏩
:38⏩
Jonathan discusses Donald Trump's criticism of the Biden-Harris administration's Iran policy, which includes maintaining Trump-era sanctions on Iran. He highlights Trump's suggestion that he would lift sanctions on both Iran and Russia. He expresses disbelief at Trump's suggestion and criticizes his lack of understanding of domestic and international politics. He points out that Trump has been accused of spreading misinformation and has not been held accountable for it in the same way that Biden has been criticized for minor speech errors.

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US Sanctions on Arctic LNG-2 Project and Gazprom's Financial Struggles

🎦 01:04:38-01:06⏩
:29⏩
Jonathan reports on the US imposing new sanctions on Russia's Arctic LNG-2 project. He explains that Gazprom, the Russian hydrocarbons entity, is facing serious financial difficulties due to Western sanctions and China's reluctance to sign a new gas contract with Russia. He also mentions Mongolia's refusal to continue the pipeline project. He argues that these sanctions are effectively working by hindering Russia's financial capabilities and undermining its ability to wage war against Ukraine. Jonathan then criticizes Trump's suggestion to lift sanctions on Russia, pointing out that this would allow Russia to recover financially and continue its aggression in Ukraine.

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UK's Efforts to Establish a Tribunal for Russian War Crimes

🎦 01:06:29-01:07⏩
:47⏩
Jonathan reports on the UK's new Labour government's efforts to establish a tribunal to hold Russia accountable for war crimes in Ukraine. He highlights the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood's emphasis on the need for urgent action and the upcoming discussions at the Council of Europe in Vilnius. He shares information about two war crimes videos he saw that morning, one from CNN showing Ukrainian soldiers being executed and another showing a single Ukrainian soldier being killed. Jonathan also notes that the European Union continues to issue residence permits to Russians at a similar rate to the beginning of the war, citing figures from Eurostat. He highlights the concern that this is allowing Russian individuals to escape accountability for their actions.

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Spanish-Russian Enclave and Russian Money Laundering in Cyprus

🎦 01:07:47-01:09⏩
:06⏩
Jonathan discusses the significant number of residence permits issued to Russians by Germany, Spain, and Cyprus. He speculates that Spain likely has a large Russian diaspora community and highlights a previous incident where two Russian pilots who defected to Ukraine were assassinated in Spain, possibly by Russian agents. He attributes the high number of permits issued by Germany to the historical connections between Eastern Germany and Russia. He notes that Cyprus is a major center for Russian money laundering, making the issuance of permits to Russians there unsurprising.

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Elon Musk's Twitter and Russian Disinformation

🎦 01:09:06-01:09⏩
:34⏩
Jonathan mentions the decline in Twitter's revenue since Elon Musk took over. He attributes this to advertiser exodus and highlights the potential impact of this on Russian disinformation efforts, given that Twitter has been a significant platform for spreading Russian propaganda.

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Wrap Up

🎦 01:09:34-01:20⏩
:37⏩
Jonathan thanks viewers for their continued support. He mentions the ongoing efforts to secure a NAFO truck for Ukrainian troops and the challenges of navigating bureaucratic processes for such donations. He also reminds viewers of other fundraising initiatives for Ukraine. He then shares a personal anecdote about spilling red wine while having a philosophical discussion with his co-author, Aaron Adair. He encourages viewers to purchase his book "30 Arguments" on Amazon and leave reviews. He reiterates his ongoing support for Ukraine and closes the video.

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