Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"This is evidently a ploy of theirs to try and get people who have broken rules in some way either on a kind of trumped up charges or like minimal breaking of of regular rules and and then they just hoik them off to the war and then you had the added benefit that if those people die in a war there's far less likelihood of family members being Russian citizens who are able to get up in arms about that."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:19⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of the June 27th, 2024 Ukraine War News Update, focusing on military aid and equipment. He acknowledges the longer first part due to extended analysis.
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Ukraine Receives EU Financial Aid
🎦 00:19-00:46⏩
Ukraine has received €1.9 billion from the EU's Ukraine Facility Assistance program. Jonathan speculates that this funding originates from frozen Russian assets and hopes it will be used for military equipment.
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NATO Members Debate Ukraine Funding Plan
🎦 00:46-01:27⏩
NATO members are discussing Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's proposal for a €40 billion annual funding plan for Ukraine. However, some allies are hesitant to commit to multi-year military aid expenditures, preferring to maintain current support levels without fixed figures. Jonathan highlights the challenge this presents for incoming NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
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Ukrainian Mig-29 Pilot Demonstrates AASM Hammer Bomb Launch
🎦 01:27-02:32⏩
Jonathan showcases footage of a Ukrainian Mig-29 pilot launching AASM Hammer bombs. He points out the impressive near-vertical launch, which maximises the bombs' range. While uncertain if those specific bombs were used in a strike on a command post in Kursk, he finds the footage compelling.
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US on Track to Produce 55,000 Artillery Shells Per Month
🎦 02:32-03:19⏩
Jonathan reports that the US is on track to reach a production rate of 55,000 155mm artillery shells per month by the end of summer. Starting from 14,000, this is a significant increase, ultimately aiming for 100,000. He praises the US industrial military complex for aligning with the strategic vision of supporting Ukraine.
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German Aid to Ukraine: Framework Contracts Explained
🎦 03:19-06:45⏩
Jonathan addresses confusion surrounding German artillery ammunition contracts, citing a 350,000 shell contract with Rheinmetall, Diehl, and Nammo, of which only five have been produced. He thanks "German Aid to Ukraine" for clarifying that this represents a framework contract, not a concrete order.
- Framework contracts guarantee a fixed price for a specified volume of ammunition over an extended period, typically 10 years.
- Germany has only called upon 5,000 of the 350,000 shells, reserving the right to purchase the remaining amount at the pre-agreed price.
- Jonathan explains that the seemingly high price per shell factors in potential inflation over the contract duration, offering cost savings in the long run.
- By the beginning of 2025, Ukraine will receive 54 RCH 155mm howitzers, costing Germany approximately €600 million.
- At least 36 RCH 155s are scheduled for delivery by 2027, with the delivery timeframe for the remaining 18 unknown.
- Initially believing the RCH 155 to be remotely controlled, Jonathan is unsure if this capability is operational yet but acknowledges its size as comparable to other self-propelled guns.
UK to Replace AS90 with RCH 155, Potential Transfer to Ukraine?
🎦 06:45-07:15⏩
Jonathan notes that the UK will eventually replace its AS90 self-propelled guns with the RCH 155. He speculates that the remaining AS90s might be sent to Ukraine, depending on the RCH-155 delivery schedule.
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Denmark Allocates $5 Million for Energy Infrastructure in Kharkiv & Mykolaiv
🎦 07:15-07:48⏩
Denmark has allocated nearly $5 million to restore Ukraine's energy infrastructure in Kharkiv and Mykolaiv oblasts. Jonathan highlights Denmark's significant involvement in Mykolaiv oblast's regional reconstruction. He also mentions Denmark's early support for Ukraine's energy sector, being the first to contribute to the Energy Support Fund in April 2022.
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Ukrainian Navy participates in NATO Exercise Sea Breeze 2024
🎦 07:48-09:42⏩
Jonathan reports on the Ukrainian Navy's participation in the NATO exercise Sea Breeze 2024 off the coast of Scotland.
- Two former Royal Navy minehunters, UKS Chukchi (ex-HMS Shoreham) and UKS Chernihiv (ex-HMS Grimsby), are involved, marking their first NATO exercise since their transfer.
- Ukrainian Navy personnel are providing the battle staff, conducting command and control (C2) of the exercise task group.
- The task group includes Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One, led by the German Navy's FGS Donau.
- Sea Breeze 2024 aims to enhance Ukraine's mine countermeasures (MCM) capability within a broader context of maritime security and stability.
- The exercise focuses on training a Ukrainian MCM task group staff capable of planning and executing MCM operations to NATO standards.
- Jonathan mentions that UK Defence Journal was granted a tour aboard the ships and anticipates further images to be released.
Discussion on the Feasibility of Providing Ukraine with Oliver Hazard Perry-Class Frigates
🎦 09:42-13:16⏩
The participation of Ukrainian minehunters in Sea Breeze 2024 sparks a discussion about potentially supplying Ukraine with mothballed Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates from the US.
- Jonathan references a 2018 article from The War Zone that reported the US considering this option to bolster Ukraine's Black Sea presence.
- The transfer would occur through the Excess Defense Property (EDP) program, offering surplus US military equipment to allies.
- While the ships would be free, refurbishment costs would be significant.
- The US Navy previously deemed the Perry-class frigates capable of being restored to operational status for basic roles at a relatively low cost.
- Other navies have successfully modernised their Perry-class frigates with upgraded systems and weaponry.
- Jonathan questions the practicality of this idea, citing the Montreux Convention, which prevents warships from entering the Black Sea during wartime.
- He believes that training sailors for ships that cannot currently be deployed to the Black Sea would be an inefficient use of resources.
- He acknowledges the potential long-term benefits of preparing for a post-war scenario where Ukraine might require a strengthened navy.
SBU Busts Criminal Network Selling Russian Weapons on Black Market
🎦 13:16-14:40⏩
Jonathan reports that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has uncovered a criminal network selling weapons on the black market.
- Arrests were made in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Lviv, with seized weapons including Russian grenade launchers, Kalashnikov rifles, and ammunition.
- He notes with relief that the seized weapons appear to be older Soviet-era models, not Western-supplied arms.
- Jonathan highlights the SBU's efforts as a positive sign that Ukraine is actively combating the illicit arms trade, a concern given the influx of weapons into the country.
Western Sanctions Fail to Hinder Russian Weapons Production
🎦 14:40-16:28⏩
Citing a report by the Royal Institute of the United Armed Forces (RUSI) in NBC News, Jonathan reveals that Western sanctions have not significantly impacted Russia's weapons production.
- Russia's production of Kh-101 cruise missiles increased from 56 in 2021 to approximately 460 in 2023.
- Iskander ballistic missile stockpiles grew from 50 to 180.
- Significant production increases were also observed for 152mm artillery shells (5.3 times), Grad MLRS rockets (15.2 times), Uragan shells (6.1 times), KH-101 cruise missiles (7.5 times), and 9M73 rockets (more than three times).
- Jonathan questions the accuracy of the report and its implications for the observed reduction in Russian missile use.
- He ponders whether Russia is stockpiling weapons for a future offensive or if other factors, such as launcher availability, limit their current deployment.
Russia Deploys 10,000 New Immigrant Citizens to Ukraine War
🎦 16:28-19:56⏩
Jonathan discusses a Kyiv Independent report stating that Russia has sent 10,000 recent immigrant citizens to fight in Ukraine. He criticises the vague use of "recently" concerning the timeframe of citizenship acquisition.
- He questions if this figure represents deployments over a specific period or the entire war duration.
- The report, citing Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin, indicates these individuals are primarily engaged in non-combat roles like digging trenches and building fortifications.
- However, Jonathan remains sceptical, drawing attention to previous instances of Russia coercing migrants into military service.
- He highlights Russia's tactic of targeting individuals who may have committed minor offences, offering them citizenship in exchange for military service.
- This approach serves a dual purpose: bolstering depleted military ranks and reducing potential domestic backlash from casualties among this demographic.
- Jonathan points out that the deaths of immigrant soldiers are less likely to provoke widespread protests within Russia compared to casualties among native-born Russians.
Wrap up
🎦 19:56-19:59⏩
Jonathan concludes the video, thanking viewers for watching and encouraging them to like, subscribe, and share.
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