Ukraine War Update NEWS (20230729b): Pt 2 - Overnight & Other News

"Do you genuinely believe any of this stuff you state? Or just before you go live on camera, do you go, 'I've got to steel myself up because I'm going to be spouting a load of BS.'"

Hello Team!

Jonathan provides an update on the Ukraine war news for 29th July 2023. He notes there has been a lot of activity over the last 48 hours but some of it has come to an end, like the liberation of Staromilsky. There is still heavy fighting around Robotna.

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Frontline Update

• Kenneth Gregg, a Finnish fighter in Ukraine, reports that the liberation of Staromilsky was done by the 35th Marine Brigade together with the Home Guard 129th Brigade. The Russians left behind a lot of material including tanks.
• The quality of Ukraine's Home Guard units has improved significantly since training began in primitive conditions in 2022.
• Pro-Russian sources report some small Russian gains in the Liman, Terny, and Zhitlivka areas.
• Ukraine is making gains south of Bakhmut around Kodymyvka and Zelenopilia, but fighting remains difficult around Klishchiivka with conflicting reports of control.
• North of Bakhmut, Ukraine is having success but at considerable cost, with reports of Russian trenches full of dead bodies. If Ukraine can take certain key positions, it will make holding Bakhmut very difficult for Russia.
• In Zaporizhzhia, after liberating Staromayorske, Ukraine has advanced to the outskirts of Urozhaine. Russian defences there are reported to be on the brink of collapse.
• Fighting continues in Robotyne but with high Ukrainian losses against heavy Russian defences. To the west, Ukraine is making slower but more cohesive progress.

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Military Aid

• China is supplying Russia with technology for electronic warfare, spare parts for fighter jets and navigation equipment. While not directly lethal aid, this is still very significant in allowing Russia to continue the war.
• Germany has sent a new military aid package including reconnaissance drones, Gepard anti-aircraft guns, tracked vehicles, ammunition, ambulances and border protection vehicles.
• Rheinmetall is training Ukrainians to repair Leopard tanks and plans to start doing repairs in Ukraine in a few weeks, which is important to return damaged tanks to the frontline faster.
• Qatar has allocated $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

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Geopolitics

• The African Union, consisting of 55 countries, has called on Russia to immediately resume the UN-brokered grain deal. This follows a Russia-Africa conference where Russia tried to curry favour and deflect blame for the grain deal collapse.
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa went off-script at the conference, saying Putin's offer of free grain is not enough and the grain corridor needs to be restored.
• A disqualified Ukrainian fencer has been reinstated by the International Fencing Federation after pressure from the IOC, allowing her to compete in the team event at the World Championships.
• A survey found 75% of Americans, including 71% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats, believe it is important for the US that Ukraine wins the war.
• Hungarian PM Viktor Orban falsely claimed EU funds to Hungary are being withheld because the money has been spent on Ukraine. In reality, the funds are frozen due to corruption and rule of law violations in Hungary.
• Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova absurdly claimed Ukrainians hate Putin because they secretly want him to be their president but have to settle for a Western-imposed Zelensky.

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Wrap up

Jonathan apologises for his "unprofessional outburst" at Zakharova's comments, but questions how anyone could genuinely believe such obvious lies and propaganda. He speculates that Russian officials are either trapped in a bubble or simply steeling themselves to spout the Kremlin line in order to stay alive and avoid "falling out of windows". He thanks viewers for their support.

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