Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"We have now heard everything and the kitchen sink is being given to North Korea in exchange for troops and equipment."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:10⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics video, a Ukraine War News Update - Part 2 for the 7th of January 2025.
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Zelensky's Proposal: Using Frozen Russian Assets for US Weapons
🎦 00:10-02:35⏩
Jonathan discusses Zelensky's proposal from his interview with Lex Friedman:
- Zelensky suggests using $300 billion of frozen Russian assets to buy weapons from the US, benefiting both Ukraine and the US industry.
- Jonathan clarifies that most of these assets are held by the EU, mainly in Belgium, making the proposal potentially controversial.
- He believes Zelensky is strategically appealing to Trump's transactional approach.
- There's debate on whether these assets should be given to Ukraine, and this move could be a way to provide maximum help with minimal cost.
US Military Aid to Ukraine: Zelensky Claims Receiving Less Than Half
🎦 02:35-05:07⏩
- Jonathan addresses a comment about the US potentially lagging behind the EU in aid delivery, highlighting that the US has delivered a higher percentage of its pledges.
- However, Zelensky states that Ukraine has received less than half of the $177 billion allocated by the US throughout the war.
- Jonathan acknowledges the lack of clarity regarding the exact amount and sources of US aid, including grants, loans, and IMF/World Bank contributions.
Controversy over US Aid Delivery and Potential Profiteering
🎦 05:07-08:59⏩
- Zelensky claims the US refused his request to transport weapons using Ukrainian planes to avoid overpaying American companies.
- Jonathan criticizes the potential profiteering by industries inflating prices for government contracts.
- He acknowledges the need for profit in private sector involvement but questions the extent of profit margins, especially for simple logistics like transportation.
- Zelensky hints at potential corruption, questioning the whereabouts of the remaining funds if only half of the allocated aid has been received.
- Jonathan emphasizes the need for clarity regarding whether the issue is undelivered aid or inefficient spending.
France May Send 26 Mirage 2000-5 Fighter Jets to Ukraine
🎦 09:00-10:14⏩, 10:18-11:47⏩
- "French Air Ukraine" suggests that France might send all 26 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine, aligning with the training of 26 Ukrainian fighter pilots already announced.
- Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer, is reportedly under pressure to deliver Rafales to the French Air Force, potentially replacing the Mirage 2000-5s.
- There's no confirmation on the exact number of jets being sent, with estimates ranging from 3 to 20.
Germany to Provide 180,000 Rounds of Ammunition for Gepard Anti-Aircraft Guns
🎦 10:14-10:18⏩
Germany will send 180,000 rounds of ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft gun to Ukraine.
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Germany's Gepard Ammunition Delivery: Details and Timeline
🎦 10:18-11:47⏩
- Jonathan provides details about Germany's delivery of ammunition for Gepard anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine:
- 180,000 rounds of HEIT (high-explosive incendiary with tracer) ammunition were ordered in December 2024, funded by the German government.
- Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, securing Ukraine's mid-term needs.
- This is in addition to a previous contract for 300,000 rounds (50% APDST and 50% HEIT) to be delivered in 2023.
- Delivery of 150,000 APDST rounds was completed in December, and the first HEIT rounds have already been delivered.
- The remaining ~135,000 rounds of HEIT ammunition from the first contract are expected to be delivered in 2025.
- The newly produced rounds from Rheinmetall are said to be superior to existing stockpiles.
Ukraine Develops One-Way Attack Drones for River Operations
🎦 11:47-12:52⏩
- Ukraine is developing one-way attack drones for riverine operations.
- These drones can carry 3 kilograms of explosives at 40 kilometers per hour and have a range of 10 kilometers.
- They are designed to target boats, bridges, and other equipment at water level.
- A key feature is their ability to remain in ambush for days with minimal battery consumption.
Ukrainian FPV Drones Use Naval Drone as Springboard to Destroy Russian Air Defence Systems
🎦 12:52-15:10⏩
- Ukrainian FPV (First-person view) drones successfully destroyed three Russian air defence systems, including two Pantsir S1s and an OSA, using a naval drone as a springboard.
- The unmanned surface vehicle (USV) transported the drones near the Kinburn Peninsula and maintained a connection from a distance.
- The aerial drones were then launched from the USV, potentially using it as a repeater for control signals, and struck the targets on land.
- This method provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive missiles like ATACMS, potentially offering greater range and accuracy depending on the USV's capabilities and drone control range.
- Jonathan highlights the advantage of real-time target confirmation with drones compared to relying on satellite imagery for missile strikes.
- If the USV can return safely, the operation becomes even more cost-effective as only the expendable FPV drones are lost.
- This new capability significantly enhances Ukraine's ability to target Russian assets near the Crimean Peninsula and coastal regions.
UK Activates Advanced Reaction System to Monitor Undersea Threats and Russian Activity in the Baltic Sea
🎦 15:10-16:17⏩
- The UK has activated an advanced reaction system within the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) framework to monitor potential threats to undersea infrastructure and track the Russian shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea.
- This follows a reported incident involving damage to a major undersea cable in the region.
- The system, involving JEF partners and NATO, aims to enhance situational awareness and protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Czech President Grants 40 Permits for Citizens to Fight in Ukraine, Doubling the Number From 2023
🎦 16:17-16:40⏩
- Czech President Petr Pavel granted 40 permits to Czech citizens who volunteered to fight in Ukraine, a significant increase from the 20 permits granted in 2023.
- However, 74 applications were rejected, indicating a selective process.
French Army Confirms Desertions of Ukrainian Soldiers During Training in France
🎦 16:40-17:00⏩
- A French army official confirmed that a "certain number" of Ukrainian soldiers from the 155th Air Assault and Kyiv Mechanized Brigade deserted during training in France.
- While the French authorities acknowledge the desertions, they emphasize that the number remains "very marginal" compared to the overall number of Ukrainian soldiers who have undergone training.
Russia to Provide Advanced Satellite Technology to North Korea in Exchange for Military Support
🎦 17:00-17:35⏩
- Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reports that Russia will share advanced satellite technology with North Korea.
- This is believed to be in exchange for North Korean troops and military equipment provided to Russia.
- Jonathan expresses concern over the increasing level of support Russia is providing to North Korea, which is likely to raise tensions with South Korea.
Clarification on Allegations of Taiwanese Company Supplying Components to Russia
🎦 17:35-19:16⏩
- Jonathan clarifies a previous report about a Taiwanese company supplying components to Russia for weapons used in Ukraine:
- Initial reports suggested that the Taiwanese firm TRC was providing components, which seemed contradictory to Taiwan's support for Ukraine.
- However, further investigation reveals that Chinese companies may be illegally using TRC's name to circumvent sanctions.
- These Chinese companies allegedly supply servo drives used in Russian UMPK planning modules for guided bombs and Shahed drones.
- The use of TRC's name allows them to bypass sanctions and continue supplying components.
- This highlights the challenges of enforcing sanctions and the lengths to which some companies will go to profit from the conflict.
Wrap up
🎦 19:16-19:37⏩
- Jonathan thanks his viewers for watching and expresses his appreciation for their support.
- He mentions he's going out for lunch with his mother to celebrate her birthday.