Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:17⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the show. He is in Ukraine today - a busy day for him! There’s a lot to discuss today about Military Aid to Ukraine from allied nations and also about aid to Russia.
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EU Aid to Ukraine
🎦 01:02-01:16⏩
The EU will provide €35 billion in financial aid to Ukraine in 2025. This is desperately needed and without it, the Ukrainian economy will be “absolutely hammered”.
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NATO Secretary General's Comments on US and European Support
🎦 01:16-02:28⏩
Jonathan discusses comments by NATO’s Secretary General, Mark Rutter, at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Europe will pay the bill if the Trump administration keeps on supplying weapons to Ukraine. Jonathan suspects that this might meet resistance from countries such as France.
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Lithuanian Military Aid
🎦 02:51-03:05⏩
Lithuania has delivered military aid to Ukraine including thousands of Lithuanian-made drones, military trucks, thermal cameras and telescopic loaders.
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Norway-Ukraine Defence Co-operation
🎦 03:06-03:19⏩
Ukraine and Norway have agreed to expand their defence co-operation and increase investments in Ukraine. Norway has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine.
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German-Ukrainian Defence Industry Joint Venture
🎦 03:19-04:09⏩
Germany's KMW and KMDS have officially opened a joint venture with a Ukrainian defence company. The company will focus on maintenance and repair of delivered military equipment and personnel have already been trained in Germany. The Ukrainian subsidiary, KNDS, was set up in Kyiv in October 2024 to support cooperation between the Ukrainian government, defence industry and KNDS.
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Israeli Military Aid - Transfer of Captured Russian Weapons
🎦 04:10-04:48⏩
The Ukrainian ambassador to Israel has proposed that Israel transfer captured Russian-made weapons to Ukraine. The weapons, mainly Hezbollah weapons captured in Lebanon, could be extremely useful for Ukraine.
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Israeli Military Aid - Potential Transfer of Patriot Systems
🎦 04:48-06:25⏩
A US Air Force C-17 transport plane has flown from Ramstein Air Base to Nevatim Air Base in Israel, before flying to Rzeszow International Airport in Poland. The plane spent three hours on the ground in Israel. Jonathan speculates that this may be related to a potential transfer of Patriot PAC-2 systems to Ukraine - a subject that has been quiet since initial reports last June.
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Jonathan's Analysis of Trump's Ukraine Policy
🎦 06:25-11:30⏩
Jonathan provides an analysis of the potential for the Trump administration to support Ukraine. He cautions against assuming Trump will act out of moral obligation, suggesting that more pragmatic considerations may be at play. Trump may have been persuaded by advisors like Keith Kellogg, Mike Walls and Marco Rubio, who could help counteract his previous pro-Russian stance. He also suggests that Trump might see an opportunity for self-aggrandizement by becoming a hero in this situation. Jonathan believes Trump might support Ukraine for the wrong reasons, motivated by potential profits from flooding the market with oil after Russia's downfall. He cautions Trump supporters against celebrating prematurely, emphasizing that any positive action from Trump may stem from self-interest rather than genuine concern for Ukraine.
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Danish Military Aid
🎦 11:31-12:08⏩
Denmark has updated its list of military equipment provided to Ukraine, which now includes 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers. As Denmark does not possess these howitzers, it is likely they have been supplied by a third country through Danish mediation.
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US Expands Howitzer Production
🎦 12:08-12:18⏩
The US has invested $270 million to expand M777 howitzer barrel production as current output does not meet the demand, particularly for Ukraine. This will mean production will increase from 30 to 50 howitzers per month.
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German Aid - Mobile Clinics
🎦 12:22-12:39⏩
The German government has financed 20 mobile clinics for Ukraine to improve healthcare access in six Ukrainian oblasts, including Kharkiv and Sumy.
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Czech Republic - Potential Halt to Ammunition Supply Initiative
🎦 12:39-13:22⏩
The Czech Republic’s successful initiative to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine may be under threat from the Czech opposition ANO party, which is currently leading in the polls.
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Potential Impact of Trump's Policies on Eastern Europe
🎦 13:22-15:14⏩
Jonathan discusses the potential ramifications of a Trump presidency on Eastern Europe. He highlights concerns that some countries, like Czechia, might follow the populist, right-wing path of leaders like Orban in Hungary and potentially reduce support for Ukraine. He speculates that the close relationship between Orban and Trump, who previously indicated a pro-Russian stance, could hinder EU sanctions against Russia. However, he acknowledges that Trump's apparent shift in stance could force Orban to comply with sanctions, potentially strengthening the EU's position against Russia.
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Drone Detection Technology
🎦 15:15-16:13⏩
Jonathan highlights the increasing popularity of drone detection technology, specifically mentioning the Jukka drone detector. This device, priced at a few hundred dollars, can detect enemy drones at a distance of almost 2km.
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Ukrainian Drone Procurement
🎦 16:13-18:15⏩
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has announced $60m in monthly funding for drone procurement, streamlining the process for combat units to acquire drones quickly. Jonathan mentions a conversation with Dmytro Dunko who is involved in procuring drones for the Ukrainian army and his recent move to the unmanned vehicles battalion. They discussed the need for effective leadership and how successful units are expanding and integrating struggling units to enhance overall capabilities.
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Ukraine's Need for Peacekeepers
🎦 18:15-19:53⏩
Jonathan discusses the need to attract younger recruits to the Ukrainian armed forces. While mobilisation of 18-25 year olds is a sensitive topic, Dmytro believes it isn’t necessary as there are enough men in older age cohorts that can be mobilised. Jonathan goes on to report that Zelensky has stated that Ukraine needs at least 200,000 peacekeepers to prevent a new Russian attack after a ceasefire. He believes this is a crucial security guarantee given the disparity in military personnel between Ukraine and Russia.
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North Korean Military Aid to Russia
🎦 19:53-21:41⏩
Jonathan discusses the ongoing military support provided by North Korea to Russia. He reports that North Korean troop reinforcements are expected in Russia within the next two months, alongside shipments of military equipment. Deliveries include 170mm M1989 self-propelled guns, which are already being used by Russian forces, and potentially Korean-23 short-range ballistic missiles, 148 of which have already been delivered. He expresses concern over the impact of these reinforcements on the battlefield, viewing them as a potential "game-changer." He notes that Russia is increasingly using North Korean artillery, citing evidence of civilian trucks modified to launch rockets.
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Russian Drone Development
🎦 21:41-22:26⏩
Jonathan discusses Russia’s struggle to develop a drone comparable to Ukraine’s Baba Yaga hexacopter, highlighting Russia’s reliance on volunteers and regular soldiers for such projects. He considers this a significant advantage for Ukraine and stresses the importance of exploiting such asymmetries in warfare.
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Wrap up
🎦 22:26-24:01⏩
Jonathan wraps up the update, thanking his viewers for their support and encouraging them to donate to the channel. He also mentions that he will be providing a donation link for a Ukrainian individual he will be meeting soon and a drone procurement charity he met with that day.
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"So if he [Trump] does good, he will do good because he's been convinced to do good. And also, he sees an opportunity to self-aggrandize."
