Ukraine War Update NEWS: Pt 1 - Overnight & Other News
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"Russia is being destroyed generationally in terms of...they're just screwing themselves over because they're in this for the long haul...there is no way out for them because this is existential for Putin and he just...he won't back out he'll double down."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:12⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics update on the Ukraine War. This is the first part of the news update for the 3rd of October 2024.
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🪦 DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL STAFF LOSSES DATA
- These are real people with real lives and real families who love them. Don’t let the numbers sap your humanity.
- These numbers probably aren’t accurate but they’re the best we have and we don’t need them to be accurate to be indicative of patterns of activity.
- All losses are estimates. Losses cannot be counted with accuracy because of the conditions on the ground.
- Both sides would see it to be of their advantage to minimize their own losses maximize the other side’s losses.
- Neither side releases their losses but we have enough transparency from the Ukrainian side to have confidence in they are indicative.
- Personnel losses are hard to count. If a soldier gets injured, heals up, and returns to the front line only to get injured again, is that one loss or two? Also, how to deal with losses from PMC’s or soldiers fighting with RF from occupied territories?
- Equipment losses are hard to count. If an AA complex involves several parts and one part gets disabled, is that a loss, or a fraction of a loss? If a tank gets disabled, repaired, back into the fight, then disabled again, is that one lost tank or two?
- All recorded losses are vulnerable to multiple reporting. We have already seen numerous cases of multiple drones in the air reporting the same loss from different angles as multiple engagements.
- Losses are not always reported on the same day they occurred. It is frequent that drone losses are reported at least 24 hours after other terrestrial equipment losses. Certain losses may not be reported for days or weeks for military intelligence reasons.
Russian Losses
🎦 00:12-02:18⏩
- Jonathan reviews the Ukrainian General Staff's figures for Russian losses, noting that while they are slowing, they remain "ridiculously high".
- Personnel: 1,150 (within the typical range of 1,000-1,300)
- Tanks: 6 (below average)
- Troop-carrying AFVs: 17 (around average)
- Artillery Systems: 37 (double the average)
- Anti-aircraft Warfare Systems: 1
- Vehicles and Fuel Tanks: 58
- Special Equipment: 12
- He discusses the implications of such losses on Russia's ability to sustain its war effort, questioning whether their high recruitment and conscription rates can offset the casualties.
- Jonathan highlights videos showing Ukrainian forces potentially on the attack in the Kursk and Vovchansk areas. He analyses the equipment loss ratios from Oryx, indicating a 1.3 to 2 ratio (Ukrainian to Russian) in the Kursk offensive, which he considers "pretty good" for an attacking force. He notes that the dynamics of the fighting in Kursk, with potentially fewer fortifications and a focus on maneuver warfare, might influence the equipment loss ratio compared to more static fronts.
Kursk Offensive Equipment Losses
🎦 02:18-05:21⏩
- Jonathan examines a Kursk offensive equipment tally, noting that since the last summary, Ukraine has lost 78 vehicles, and Russia 51.
- He compares this to other areas of the conflict:
- Prokofsk: Russian losses are five times higher than Ukrainian losses due to the static front line favouring the defenders.
- Kharkiv: Russian losses are double that of Ukraine, with attacks relying less on mechanized equipment and more on infantry.
- The changing loss ratios in the Kursk region might point to a shift in the balance of the offensive, with Russian forces now potentially on the attack.
- Jonathan analyses visuals of destroyed Ukrainian and Russian equipment in Kursk, noting an increase in Russian tank losses, possibly indicating a more offensive posture. He encourages viewers to examine the provided links for a detailed breakdown.
Russian Su-25 Fighter Bomber Downed
🎦 05:21-05:39⏩
- Jonathan reports the downing of a Russian Su-25 fighter bomber and the loss of its pilot. While the specific context is unknown, he highlights this as positive news for Ukraine.
Ukrainian Forces Destroy Russian NEBO-M Radar System
🎦 05:39-06:54⏩
- A Russian NEBO-M radar station, a critical asset for detecting and tracking air targets and costing around $100 million, was destroyed by a Ukrainian ATAK ballistic missile.
- Jonathan questions claims that this is only the second such system destroyed in the war, believing he has reported on more instances.
Drone Warfare Highlights
🎦 06:54-07:50⏩
- Jonathan showcases two videos:
- A Ukrainian FPV drone strike on a fully loaded Russian BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system resulting in a massive explosion.
- A "thermite" drone (likely a Ukrainian R18 drone) successfully targeting a Russian tank.
- He emphasises the effectiveness of such drone attacks, especially given the limited use of this tactic earlier in the war.
Partisan Activity in Occupied Territories
🎦 07:50-08:38⏩
- Jonathan reports on two separate incidents of potential partisan activity:
- In Berdyansk, a car bomb killed Vitaly Lomeyko, a judge collaborating with Russian occupation forces.
- A previous incident involved a car bomb targeting three Russian military personnel.
- He infers from these events that partisan activities are increasingly happening deep within Russian-occupied territories.
Shift in Artillery Superiority and Drone Warfare Significance
🎦 08:38-11:00⏩
- Jonathan discusses the decreasing disparity in artillery firepower between Russia and Ukraine. The ratio, previously eight Russian shells to one Ukrainian, is now closer to three to one.
- He attributes this to:
- Increased Western artillery systems supplied to Ukraine.
- Ukraine's significant domestic drone production, potentially exceeding Russia's by a two-to-one ratio. He mentions one Ukrainian drone manufacturer producing 100,000 drones monthly (3,300 per day).
- Jonathan argues that the widespread use of drones, especially for destroying equipment, functionally bridges the artillery gap.
- He suggests that the true artillery disparity is even smaller than reported when accounting for Ukraine's drone capabilities.
Russian Air Defence Accidentally Targets Russian Aircraft
🎦 11:00-11:53⏩
- Jonathan recounts an incident where Russian air defences in the Tambov region fired upon a Russian farmer dusting crops in a light aircraft, injuring the pilot.
- He humorously speculates that Russia's heightened state of alert, especially after recent Ukrainian drone incursions, likely led to the mistaken identity.
- He advises against flying any light aircraft in Russia due to the risk of being misidentified as a drone.
Overnight Drone Attacks and Countermeasures
🎦 11:53-12:46⏩
- Jonathan details overnight drone attacks exchanged by both sides:
- Russia launched 105 Shahed drones into Ukraine, with only 3 reaching their targets, highlighting the effectiveness of Ukraine's air defences:
- 78 were shot down by conventional air defences.
- 23 were neutralized by electronic warfare.
- 1 veered off course into Belarus.
- Ukraine launched over 100 drones into Russia. While Russia claims to have shot down most of them, reports of successful strikes are emerging.
- Jonathan emphasizes the exceptional success rate of Ukrainian air defences against Russian drone attacks.
Increased Range of Russian Iskander-M Ballistic Missiles
🎦 12:46-14:05⏩
- Jonathan voices concerns over reports of Russia increasing the range of its Iskander-M ballistic missiles from 700 kilometres to potentially 1,000 kilometres.
- He draws a parallel with Ukraine modifying their Neptune missiles for a longer range (1,000 kilometres) and expects Russia to follow suit.
- Jonathan highlights the danger this poses to Ukraine, as Russia can now target areas deeper within Ukrainian territory, including those previously considered safe.
Russian Airstrikes on Residential Buildings
🎦 14:05-15:03⏩
- Jonathan condemns Russia's continued targeting of civilian infrastructure, showcasing the aftermath of an airstrike on a residential building in Kharkiv.
- He expresses outrage at the routine nature of these attacks, showing images of destroyed apartments and highlighting the impact on civilians, including a three-year-old girl injured in this specific attack.
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Military Targets
🎦 15:03-17:53⏩
- Jonathan reports on a potentially significant wave of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory:
- An arsenal storing aerial bombs in Voronezh was hit.
- The Borysov-Glesk military airfield was targeted, with reports suggesting damage to infrastructure and potentially aircraft, although Russia claims to have shot down 113 Ukrainian drones in total.
- He provides details from various Russian sources, Telegram channels, and satellite imagery showing multiple fire spots near the airfield.
- Jonathan notes that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed but acknowledges the possibility that some drones were intercepted before reaching their targets.
- He highlights explosions reported in Belgorod, speculating on whether these were caused by successful Ukrainian strikes or effective Russian air defence.
Israeli Strike on Russian Base in Syria
🎦 18:06-20:55⏩
- Jonathan reports on an Israeli missile strike on a Russian base in Latakia province, Syria. This attack targeted facilities believed to be used by Iran to store and transfer weapons, some destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- He analyses the potential implications of this strike:
- Israel, usually hesitant to directly confront Russia, might be signaling a shift in its position by challenging Russia's perceived "red lines".
- The destruction of Iranian weapons systems in Syria could benefit Ukraine by hindering Iran's ability to supply Russia.
- Russia might be forced to divert resources to Syria in response, potentially drawing them away from Ukraine.
Western Weaponry and Ukraine's Ability to Strike Back
🎦 20:55-23:46⏩
- Jonathan discusses the limitations imposed by the West on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons, highlighting Der Spiegel's report that Ukraine could strike 261 Russian military facilities if allowed.
- He criticizes these restrictions, arguing that striking Russian military logistics would significantly benefit Ukraine's war effort.
- He cites former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who labelled such restrictions "militarily silly and strategically stupid," and welcomes bipartisan support for lifting these limitations.
- Despite Ukrainian successes, Jonathan acknowledges reports of improved Russian tactics and battlefield communication, leading to increased pressure on Ukrainian forces, particularly given their equipment deficit.
- He presents contrasting perspectives on the effectiveness of Russia's strategies, highlighting the human cost of their advances.
Russia's Attritional Warfare: Gains and Long-Term Costs
🎦 23:46-27:40⏩
- Jonathan analyses a map illustrating Russia's territorial gains over the past year, emphasizing the limited progress achieved at the cost of significant casualties.
- While acknowledging Ukrainian struggles and losses, he argues:
- Russia's gains are minimal for a country of its military capabilities.
- The war is depleting Russia's resources, potentially leading to a decline in its military strength.
- The influx of Western aid and Ukraine's increasing domestic production are gradually tipping the balance in their favour.
- He cites Anders Putt-Nielsen's analysis suggesting that Spring 2024 might have been the peak of Russia's relative strength.
Execution of Ukrainian POWs
🎦 27:40-35:42⏩
- Jonathan expresses his disgust at the execution of 16 Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces and praises the BBC for covering this war crime.
- He criticizes Western media outlets for not giving this event the attention it deserves and challenges Russian apologists to justify their stance.
- He emphasizes the brutality of the executions, emphasizing that the Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered and were under Russian control.
Mainstream Media Coverage of the War
🎦 35:42-38:06⏩
- Jonathan criticizes Western media outlets for their inadequate coverage of the war, arguing that they often prioritize sensationalism and clickbait over substantive reporting.
- He cites examples of significant events, such as the devastating bombing of Vovchansk and the environmental destruction of the Desna River, which have received insufficient attention.
- He contends that increased media exposure of these atrocities would help the world understand the true horrors of the war and the threat posed by Russia.
Misinformation and Misguided Arguments
🎦 38:06-39:19⏩
- Jonathan expresses frustration with the spread of misinformation and what he perceives as flawed arguments regarding Western aid to Ukraine.
- He refutes the notion that aid to Ukraine comes at the expense of domestic spending in the US, dismissing comparisons between the scale of aid and individual FEMA payments.
- He criticizes those who focus solely on the financial aspect of aid while ignoring the broader geopolitical context and the existential threat Russia poses.
The Diversity of Russian Opinion and the Importance of Nuance
🎦 39:19-41:16⏩
- While condemning the actions of the Russian government, Jonathan stresses the importance of not generalizing about the entire Russian population.
- He shares an anecdote from a viewer in Finland who works alongside Russian immigrants who are vehemently opposed to the war and the Putin regime.
- He acknowledges that countless Russians oppose the war but are silenced by the threat of state repression.
Wrap up
🎦 41:16-41:21⏩
Jonathan thanks his viewers for their support and signs off, promising to return with more updates soon.
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