Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News

"They'll be like, yep, we'll test that. Yep, we'll use that. Thank you very much."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:20⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his Ukraine War update for 29 April 2024. He lets viewers know that it will be a relatively quick update as there isn't much news about military aid, equipment movements to Ukraine or news from within Russia.

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USA purchases 81 Soviet-era aircraft from Kazakhstan

🎦 00:20-02:28⏩

The USA has purchased 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Kazakhstan for $1.5m. The aircraft (MiG-31s, MiG-27s, MiG-29s and Su-24s) are not in a combat-ready state and it is thought they will be cannibalised for spare parts, or possibly used as decoys on airfields. It has been reported that the purchase was made through offshore intermediaries, with Kazakhstan denying reports that aircraft were sold to the USA or Ukraine. Kazakhstan claims that an auction was held for Kazakhstani companies only. It is thought that the USA may have used a Kazakhstani shell company to purchase the aircraft. Jonathan notes that this would be a "big haul" of aircraft and will not go down well with Russia.

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Ukrainian Su-27s upgraded with iPads

🎦 02:28-04:25⏩

Jonathan reports that Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets have been fitted with iPads in the cockpit, a move confirmed by US Deputy Secretary of Defence, Laplante. This allows older Soviet-era aircraft to be upgraded to use Western weapons systems. Footage from the Telegraph shows an Su-27 with an iPad in the cockpit. The upgrade also allows the aircraft to display more data and have an improved navigation system. Jonathan notes how iPads have been able to help the aircraft "somewhat".

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France tests Velos 330 drone in Ukraine

🎦 04:25-06:01⏩

Jonathan talks about the French Velos 330 drone which he thinks will be tested in Ukraine. This follows footage he shared the previous day showing the drone in action. This is a fast-moving drone equipped with a core-generating charge and a navigation system that doesn't require GPS making it difficult to jam. The drone has a range of 80km, endurance of 3 hours, can be used for reconnaissance and can detect a vehicle from 15km during the day and 3km at night. Jonathan believes that Ukraine will be "willing partners" for countries that want to test their weapons.

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Lloyd Austin comments on ATACMs

🎦 06:01-09:01⏩

Jonathan discusses US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent comments on ATACMs being provided to Ukraine. Austin said "it's up to them how and when they use it and our hopes is that they'll create some pretty good effects". Some have interpreted this to mean that Ukraine has permission to use ATACMs within Russian territory. Jonathan disagrees with this, citing previous comments from Jake Sullivan who stated that ATACMs should not be used to strike within Russia. Jonathan believes that explicit permission would be given behind closed doors rather than through ambiguous public comments.

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Latvia donates power generation equipment

🎦 09:01-09:47⏩

Latvia has sent power generation equipment to Ukraine following Russian strikes on critical infrastructure. Jonathan explains that a number of countries had offered to send older Soviet-era power generation equipment to Ukraine. Latvia's state-owned energy company, Latvenergo, sent a high-voltage transformer, 60 tonnes of transformer oil and an air compressor.

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Poland could protect Western Ukraine from air attacks - but lacks the "political will"

🎦 09:47-11:25⏩

Jonathan discusses comments made by a Ukrainian Air Force spokesman who claims that Poland has the capability to defend Western Ukrainian airspace, but lacks the "political will" to do so. Jonathan agrees, stating that Patriot missile batteries based near the border could provide effective air defence. He goes on to say that he believes Poland and Romania should shoot down any Russian missiles that come within a certain distance of their respective borders (50km), to protect their own territory. He acknowledges that Russia would see this as an escalation but it is unclear whether they would respond.

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Ukraine's defence industry booming

🎦 11:25-18:05⏩

Jonathan talks about how the number of defence companies in Ukraine has doubled in the 2 years since Russia's invasion. The defence industry in Ukraine now accounts for one third of the country's GDP growth. He explains how countries on a war footing have to switch their economies to focus on arms production - which is reflected in Russia and Ukraine's GDPs. Jonathan questions the long-term sustainability of such a move, noting that this type of growth is artificial. In Ukraine's case, Jonathan believes that it is far better for Ukraine's economy for Ukrainian defence companies to be awarded contracts (rather than foreign companies), making Ukraine more self-sufficient, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

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Wrap up

🎦 18:05-18:10⏩

Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and signs off.

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