Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
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This summary has been produced automatically by an AI Large Language Model (LLM) without any human intervention. Whilst every effort has been made to prompt the LLM to produce accurate output, there may be inconsistencies, inaccuracies or hallucinations!
Table of Contents 📖
"Don't you freaking tell us what's going on here. You're not the one that dictates everything. We're going to dictate this to you. And if you even remotely attempt to target these planes when they're on NATO territory, you will incur the wrath of NATO. That's how I would play that."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:45⏩
Jonathan welcomes everyone to the second part of his Ukraine War News Update for 28th March 2024, focusing on military aid. He's overwhelmed by the volume of information, but determined to provide a comprehensive overview. He acknowledges it's a lot to take in but feels it's important to cover everything.
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France Boosts Military Support for Ukraine
🎦 00:46-05:33⏩
Jonathan highlights France's increased support for Ukraine, noting that Macron and the French government are "really stepping up" both rhetorically and with concrete actions.
- France is moving towards a "war footing" by requisitioning military industrial facilities that aren't producing equipment for Ukraine quickly enough.
- France will no longer sell obsolete or old military equipment to any country other than Ukraine. Jonathan finds this significant as France is the world's second-largest arms exporter.
- 80% of France's 1,500 mil artillery shells produced in 2024 will go to Ukraine.
- All 78 Caesar cannons produced by Nexter and KNDS in 2024 are destined for Ukraine.
- The Ile-de-France region has pledged €560,000 in aid to Kyiv and Chernihiv, supporting humanitarian efforts through NGOs. Jonathan clarifies this is €560,000, not million!
- Jonathan praises Denmark for donating all its artillery to Ukraine, setting a precedent for other nations. He believes Denmark's rationale is sound – Russia is their only conceivable adversary, and if Ukraine falls, they're next.
- He questions what intelligence prompted Macron's change of heart towards such strong support for Ukraine.
- Jonathan speculates on the types of equipment France might send, including VAB personnel carriers, AMX-10 light tanks, and potentially even airframes, which he finds particularly interesting.
Scholz Reiterates Germany's Commitment While Resisting Taurus Missile Transfer
🎦 06:54-09:57⏩
Jonathan discusses Olaf Scholz's stance on providing military aid to Ukraine.
- Scholz maintains that Germany is providing more support than any other European nation, financially and materially.
- However, he reiterates Germany's refusal to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, citing fears of escalating the conflict into a NATO-Russia war.
- Jonathan criticizes Scholz for constantly shifting explanations regarding the Taurus missiles, describing it as a "con trick."
- He argues that Scholz's fear of escalation, while understandable, skews the perception of Germany's overall contributions.
- Jonathan emphasizes Scholz's statement that Germany will continue supporting Ukraine for "as long as is necessary" to prevent Putin from winning a war of attrition.
- He also notes Scholz's confirmation that Germany will not deploy troops to Ukraine, unlike France, though Jonathan acknowledges the political complexities involved for Germany.
EU, Czech Republic, Poland, and Turkey Ramp Up Support
🎦 09:57-14:57⏩
Jonathan provides updates on military aid and initiatives from various countries and organisations:
- European Union: Josep Borrell will present a proposal for joint procurement of lethal and non-lethal aid for Ukraine by April 2024. He's also working on securing the next €500 million tranche from the European Peace Facility, currently blocked by Hungary.
- Czech Republic: The Czech government is increasing its contribution to the Czech artillery initiative and has allocated additional (undisclosed) funds to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine. There were discussions about the Czech Republic potentially supplying air defense ammunition, but nothing concrete yet. Jonathan emphasizes the critical need for air defense munitions alongside artillery shells.
- Poland: Poland will double its contribution to the Czech artillery initiative, though the exact amount remains undisclosed. Jonathan believes Poland is getting "back in the game" after a period of political instability and internal challenges.
- Turkey: Arca Defense (Turkey) will deliver 116,000 M107-155 mil artillery rounds to the US Department of Defense this year, likely under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative contract. Additional contracts are expected soon for deliveries next year. Turkish firm Repkon will commence production of 155mm shell bodies in June at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems' new plant in Mesquite, Texas. The US is in talks with Turkey to increase purchases of Turkish-made TNT for use in US-made artillery shells to address potential production bottlenecks. Jonathan highlights the pressure on logistics chains for raw materials needed for explosive fillers as artillery shell production increases. He speculates about a potential Turkish-US partnership in this endeavour.
- Germany: Germany will soon transfer 10,000 artillery shells from its Bundeswehr stockpiles to Ukraine, with plans for further transfers in three stages. Jonathan notes this amount roughly equates to a single day's worth of Russian artillery fire, emphasizing the ongoing need for ammunition.
Ukraine Boosts Domestic Ammunition Production
🎦 15:40-16:11⏩
Jonathan highlights Ukraine's growing domestic ammunition production capabilities:
- Anatoly Kuzmin's private defence factory is now producing approximately 20,000 artillery shells per month, a significant achievement considering they started with almost nothing after the Russians seized his previous factory.
- Kuzmin aims to increase production to 100,000 shells per month and include drone components.
- Jonathan praises the Ukrainian efforts to establish a more sustainable ammunition supply.
Ukrainian Forces Request More French Mortars
🎦 16:11-18:03⏩
Jonathan discusses Ukraine's interest in acquiring more French MO-120 mortars:
- Ukrainian forces highlight the advantages of these mortars, noting their silent operation, accuracy, and 17-kilometer range, which would provide an edge over Russian artillery.
- They emphasize the continued importance of artillery in warfare, especially its effectiveness in all weather conditions and terrain.
- Jonathan explains why the French 120mm mortars are unique: they're rifled, unlike most mortars which are smoothbore. Rifling involves grooves inside the barrel that cause the shell to spin, enhancing its stability, accuracy, and range.
- He contrasts this with fin-stabilized shells fired from smoothbore mortars, which have more drag and thus shorter range.
Ukraine Experiences Increased Militarization of National Police
🎦 18:03-18:30⏩
Jonathan discusses the Le Monde report on the increasing militarization of Ukraine's National Police:
- The "Loot Brigade", composed primarily of National Police members, is now fighting on the frontlines in Donbas due to a shortage of soldiers.
- Jonathan sees this as a sign of Ukraine's need for manpower, with police officers being repurposed for frontline combat roles.
UK Develops Anti-Jamming Technology for Ukrainian Drones
🎦 18:30-19:39⏩
Jonathan reports on the UK's development of anti-jamming technology for Ukrainian drones:
- Evolved Dynamics, a company based in southern England, is developing this technology as part of an international effort to counter Russia's electronic warfare capabilities and help maintain Ukraine's drone advantage.
- Jonathan sees this as beneficial not just for Ukraine but also for the UK, as it provides valuable R&D opportunities and helps develop more advanced drone technology to meet future national security needs.
- He emphasizes that supporting Ukraine with such technology ultimately strengthens the UK's own defence capabilities.
Volunteers Construct Decoys in Rivne
🎦 20:34-21:28⏩
Jonathan shares a heartening story about Ukrainian ingenuity:
- Volunteers in Rivne have established a production line for military decoys, crafting wooden, metal, and plastic replicas of 120mm mortars, 82mm Vasilyok mortars, starting terminals, and Sentinel radars.
- Jonathan points out the effectiveness of these decoys, especially from a distance, forcing the Russians to waste valuable munitions on these dummy targets.
- He applauds the volunteers' efforts, calling it "fantastic" and a resourceful way to counter the Russian forces.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher's Support for Ukraine
🎦 21:28-23:27⏩
Jonathan highlights the significant contributions of Hollywood actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher:
- The couple has been actively fundraising and volunteering to aid Ukraine.
- They've raised over $35 million from 65,000 donors worldwide and donated 20,000 bulletproof vests to the Ukrainian armed forces in 2022.
- Jonathan contrasts their compassion and action with the lack of equivalent public support from notable figures in Russia.
- He ponders on the moral implications of this asymmetry, suggesting it reflects a broader global perception of Ukraine as the "good guys" and Russia as the "bad guys."
German Fire Brigade Donates Fire Engine to Kharkiv
🎦 23:27-24:25⏩
Jonathan showcases another example of international support:
- A volunteer fire brigade from Kirchlengern, Germany, donated a fully equipped fire engine to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast.
- The engine was transported through a collaboration with the Water for Ukraine initiative and Mission Syrette.
- Although the vehicle is from 1992, it's in excellent condition with only 18,000 kilometers on it and will serve Ukraine well for many years to come.
- Again, Jonathan contrasts this act of generosity with the absence of similar gestures from Russia.
European Development Bank Provides Loan for Housing in Ukraine
🎦 24:31-25:06⏩
Jonathan provides details on financial assistance for Ukraine:
- The Council of the European Development Bank has approved a loan of almost $110 million to Ukraine.
- This loan will be used to restore housing and infrastructure damaged during the conflict.
- Over 2,000 families will soon receive new homes thanks to this initiative.
- Jonathan emphasizes the importance of such efforts in rebuilding Ukraine and providing support to those who have lost their homes due to the Russian invasion.
Sweden Provides Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan
🎦 25:06-25:23⏩
Jonathan highlights Sweden's humanitarian contributions:
- Sweden has allocated $11 million in humanitarian aid to be distributed through the UN food program.
- This aid will benefit Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.
- Cindy McCain, head of the UN food program, emphasizes that these funds will help alleviate hunger and save lives in these regions.
Discussions on Transferring Older Abrams Tanks and F-16s to Ukraine
🎦 25:23-29:23⏩
Jonathan discusses the potential transfer of older military equipment to Ukraine:
- Abrams Tanks: While Ukraine has received 31 Abrams tanks, there are approximately 3,700 older models in storage in the US. Jonathan questions why these tanks are left unused and suggests sending them to Ukraine. He acknowledges refurbishing them would require effort but believes it's a worthwhile endeavour.
- F-16s: Jonathan reiterates his earlier suggestion that Greece should sell its 32 F-16C/D Block 30 fighter jets to Ukraine, as they are due to be replaced with F-35s. This would help streamline Ukraine's air force and reduce reliance on a diverse range of aircraft. However, Russia has threatened to destroy any F-16s deployed in Ukraine, prompting a passionate response from Jonathan.
Putin's Threats on Targeting F-16s in Ukraine
🎦 29:23-29:42⏩
Jonathan dissects Putin's recent threats regarding F-16s:
- Putin warned that F-16s operating against Russian forces, even from airfields in third countries, would be considered legitimate targets.
- Jonathan argues that Ukraine has limited options for operating F-16s due to the specific airfield requirements of these jets. This makes them vulnerable to Russian attacks.
- He proposes a solution: station F-16s at airbases in NATO countries like Poland or Romania, using them as "parking lots" and flying the jets to Ukraine for missions before returning them.
- He argues that this approach would protect the F-16s from preemptive Russian strikes while still allowing their use by Ukrainian forces.
Jonathan's Rebuttal to Putin's Threats and Vision for F-16 Deployment
🎦 29:42-30:06⏩
Jonathan passionately challenges Putin's threats:
- He believes the West should make it clear to Putin that any attempt to target F-16s on NATO territory would be considered an act of war, drawing a firm red line.
- Jonathan asserts that Putin does not have the authority to dictate terms and that the West should stand firm against such intimidation.
US House Delays Ukraine Aid Bill Due to Internal Politics
🎦 30:06-32:51⏩
Jonathan expresses his frustration about delays in US aid to Ukraine:
- US House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing challenges in passing a Ukraine aid bill due to internal Republican party politics, particularly pressure from those aligned with Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
- Despite bipartisan support in the Senate for a $95 billion aid package (including aid to Israel and Taiwan), Johnson has repeatedly delayed bringing it to a vote in the House.
- Johnson's stated reason is the need to prioritize border security, but Jonathan believes this is a smokescreen, attributing the delay to pressure from anti-aid factions within the Republican party.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene, in particular, has threatened to remove Johnson from his position if he brings the Ukraine funding proposal to the House floor.
- Jonathan condemns this stance as "despicable."
- There's a glimmer of hope, however: Representative Michael McCaul believes Johnson might schedule a vote on the aid bill after Easter recess, potentially splitting the funding for Ukraine and Israel to address concerns from some Democrats opposed to supporting Israeli operations in Gaza.
- Jonathan agrees splitting the bill could be sensible, but it will likely cause further delays.
- He concludes by echoing President Biden's sentiment, labelling the House's inaction as "close to criminal neglect."
Wrap up
🎦 32:52-33:13⏩
Jonathan wraps up the military aid update, acknowledging he's covered a lot of information. He signs off, reminding viewers about his upcoming live stream with Greg Terry, which may delay his geopolitical update. He ends with his signature "Toodlepip!"
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🤖❓ AI Debrief (post task) - anything the AI didn't understand
I am unclear on the details of what Jonathan was referring to when discussing the Czech Republic finding "large amounts of air defense ammunition." Is there more information available about this discovery, and what type of ammunition was found?
🤖💭 AI Plan (pre task) - the AI's step by step thought process
This is a military aid-heavy video from Jonathan, so there's a lot to unpack. I'll start with the usual 'Hello Team' and 'Wrap up', then break down the transcript by country/organisation.
It looks like France is really stepping up their support, so that'll need its own section. Germany's Taurus missile stance will also need highlighting.
Jonathan gets a bit passionate about Putin's threats regarding F-16s - I'll make sure that comes across in the summary. And of course, no ATP summary would be complete without mentioning tea!
