Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid & Geopolitical News
Table of Contents 📖
"This is how it works and [the] Daily Mail has done some really good analysis here to show this. It has since put an editor's note on the article saying that the outlet later retracted the claim."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:08⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATPG of Politics video, a Ukraine War News Update, the second part for the 2nd of August 2024.
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German Military Aid to Ukraine (July 2024)
🎦 00:08-02:54⏩
Jonathan details German military aid delivered to Ukraine in July, noting a decrease in new pledges since the NATO summit. He highlights:
- A $200 million ordinance package and $1.5 billion USAI order (details unspecified) from the US.
- German deliveries: a Patriot system, Sonobot 5 unmanned surface vehicles, Vector reconnaissance drones, mobile drone jammers, Leopard tanks, Berger Panzer ARVs, Vicent I MC mine-clearing tanks, armoured vehicles, detonators, smoke grenades, surveillance radars (including TRML-4D air surveillance radars), rifles (including sniper rifles), grenade launchers, missiles, ammunition (including 30,000 rounds for Gepards and 51,555 mil shells), helmets, SAT cube terminals, and night vision goggles.
- Pledged: 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks and a Berger Panzer III ARV (ringed out to the Czech Republic) and four more mine-clearing tanks.
Launch of Ukrainian Corvette "Hetman Ivan Vyhovski" in Turkey
🎦 02:55-03:51⏩
The second Ukrainian corvette, "Hetman Ivan Vyhovski," built by Turkey, was launched. Jonathan ponders their potential use given their inability to access the Black Sea safely. The first corvette, "Ivan Mazepa," is already undergoing trials in the Black Sea. Jonathan questions their construction location, suggesting the possibility of them being built on the Black Sea side of Turkey.
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Ukraine to Purchase Domestically Made Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)
🎦 03:51-05:07⏩
Ukraine's Defense Ministry signed an agreement to procure domestically manufactured ground-based kamikaze drones (UGVs). Jonathan showcases various UGV prototypes developed by Ukrainian engineers, including weapon carriers, logistics support, tow trucks, mine layers, d-miners, and self-destructive suicide drones. He highlights the diverse functionalities of these UGVs and anticipates their deployment in the coming months.
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Russian Armed Forces Deploy New Foam UAV "Gerbera"
🎦 05:07-05:52⏩
The Russian Armed Forces introduced a new UAV type, the "Gerbera," made from foamed plastic. It comes in three versions: signal intelligence, explosive kamikaze, and decoy. Jonathan connects this to discussions about decoy drones used in recent Shaheed attacks, suggesting they lure Ukrainian air defenses into wasting expensive interceptors.
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Russian Mill Blogger Romanov Criticises Drone Monopolization by Sudoplatov
🎦 06:12-07:34⏩
Russian mill blogger Romanov criticizes the monopolization of FPV drone production by Sudoplatov, a company previously supplying drones with identical frequencies, easily destroyed by Ukrainians. He reveals Sudoplatov's control over all drone manufacturers, prioritizing quantity over quality, resulting in ineffective drones. Jonathan analyzes the negative implications of this monopolization, arguing that competition fosters innovation, leading to better-equipped drones for the frontline. He contrasts this with the Ukrainian approach, where diverse manufacturers and R&D efforts likely provide them with a technological edge over Russian drones and electronic warfare.
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Sudoplatov's Alleged Corruption and Monopoly Over Drone Production
🎦 07:34-10:24⏩
Jonathan delves into allegations of corruption surrounding Sudoplatov. Romanov suggests that Deputy Minister General Krivoruchko is lobbying for Sudoplatov, aiming to secure a 120 billion ruble contract and monopolize drone production through their flawed GSU 2.0 ground control system. Jonathan criticizes this potential monopolization, emphasizing the importance of a competitive market for driving innovation and responsiveness to frontline needs in drone development.
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Signs of Strain: Russia's Struggle to Replace Military Losses
🎦 10:24-11:45⏩
Jonathan discusses three recent decisions by the Russian state, sourced from Darktinus, suggesting a struggle to replace military losses:
- Doubling the bonus for war enlistment to 400,000 rubles, on top of regional bonuses reaching up to 1.9 million rubles.
- Rejecting a bill exempting fathers of three or more children, or those with disabled children, from military service, indicating a desperate need for manpower.
- Offering a one-time bonus of up to 6 million rubles to disabled Donbas veterans, potentially reflecting attempts to address the growing number of casualties.
Jonathan concludes that these decisions, alongside previous discussions, point to Russia's difficulties in replenishing both personnel and material.
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Russian Disinformation Campaign Fuels UK Riots
🎦 11:45-20:11⏩
Jonathan connects a recent stabbing incident in Southport, UK, to a Russian disinformation campaign. He highlights how false information about the attacker's identity, spread through a Russian-linked website (Channel 3 Now), fueled anti-immigrant sentiment and sparked violent protests.
- The Daily Mail, despite Jonathan's reservations about the publication, exposed the Russian connection and analyzed how the disinformation spread.
- Jonathan dissects the process: anonymous sources, social media amplification, uptake by local news, and eventual import back into Russia as "evidence."
- Key figures like Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate further amplified the false narrative, capitalizing on the tragedy to push their agendas.
- Jonathan emphasizes how even seemingly isolated incidents can be traced back to coordinated disinformation efforts by Russia, aiming to sow discord and exploit existing societal tensions.
Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover: A Breeding Ground for Disinformation
🎦 20:11-29:37⏩
Jonathan critiques Elon Musk's handling of Twitter (now X), arguing that his policies have facilitated the spread of disinformation, particularly concerning the Southport incident.
- Citing Alan Rydgbridger, Jonathan links the riots directly to Musk's platform, specifically his dismantling of moderation teams and tolerance for hate speech and misinformation.
- While acknowledging the limitations of mainstream media, Jonathan argues they are still bound by regulations that promote accountability, unlike independent platforms like Twitter.
- He criticizes Musk's embrace of "independent media" and his disdain for established news outlets, drawing parallels to Donald Trump's rhetoric.
- Jonathan argues that Musk's approach, coupled with the amplification power of social media, allows malicious actors like Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson to spread harmful narratives and incite violence with impunity.
- He cites Dr. Mark Owen-Jones's research, which mapped how the false narrative about the Southport attacker reached millions within hours, highlighting the speed and reach of disinformation on platforms like X.
- Jonathan concludes by criticizing Musk's inaction and indifference to the real-world consequences of unchecked disinformation on his platform, quoting Hannah Arendt's work on totalitarian regimes and the blurring of truth and fiction.
- He contrasts this with the BBC, which, despite its flaws, remains a trusted source of information, particularly in times of crisis.
EU Prepares for Potential Trump Return and Impact on Ukraine Support
🎦 29:37-30:11⏩
Jonathan reports that the European Commission has formed a special group to prepare for the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. The group aims to develop a strategy to address anticipated shifts in US policies on free trade and support for Ukraine.
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US-Russia Prisoner Swap: Biden Highlights Allied Cooperation
🎦 30:11-32:17⏩
Jonathan discusses the recent US-Russia prisoner swap, emphasizing President Biden's portrayal of the event as a success of allied cooperation. Biden highlights Germany and Slovenia's crucial roles, stating they made concessions not directly serving their self-interest to secure the release of prisoners. Jonathan points out Biden's strategy of emphasizing globalist cooperation in contrast to the isolationist approach of Trump and the Republicans. He analyzes Biden's pointed response to Trump's claim that he could have secured the hostages' release without concessions: "Why didn't he do it when he was president?".
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Analysis of the US-Russia Prisoner Swap: A Double Victory for Russia?
🎦 32:17-38:02⏩
Jonathan analyzes a viewer comment questioning the strategic implications of the US-Russia prisoner swap. While acknowledging the joy of freeing political prisoners like Vladimir Kara-Murza, he presents the argument that the swap represents a "small but meaningful victory" for Russia:
- Russia successfully used wrongfully imprisoned civilians to retrieve valuable intelligence assets.
- The exchange reinforces the Kremlin's tactic of hostage diplomacy, encouraging further detentions.
- It signals to Russian operatives that they will be exchanged if caught conducting illegal activities in the West.
Jonathan acknowledges the validity of these concerns but argues that the US had limited options:
- Russia's disregard for international norms forces the West into difficult choices.
- Refusing prisoner swaps leaves innocent individuals stranded.
He suggests that a potential counter-strategy could involve arresting Russian operatives in the West. However, he cautions that this carries the risk of retaliation against Westerners in Russia. Jonathan concludes that while the swap was a calculated win for Russia, the US, particularly Biden, played a difficult hand as well as they could have, securing the release of individuals crucial to undermining Putin's regime.
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Lukashenko's Claims and the Realities of the Prisoner Exchange
🎦 38:02-40:25⏩
Jonathan addresses Belarusian dictator Lukashenko's claim that Biden had no involvement in the prisoner exchange and that it was solely orchestrated by special services. He challenges this assertion, arguing that securing the cooperation of countries like Germany and Slovenia necessitates diplomatic efforts exceeding the scope of intelligence agencies. Jonathan posits that Biden likely directed the exchange, prompting his administration to find a way to bring it about. He concludes that while Lukashenko might have a point about the direct involvement of special services, Biden's directive and influence were crucial to the exchange's success. Jonathan reiterates his view that despite potential criticisms, the US, under challenging circumstances, managed to secure the release of high-value individuals, including prominent Russian dissidents and a potentially influential opposition leader, in one of the largest prisoner swaps of its kind.
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Ukraine Returns Fallen Defenders and Paris Honors Deceased Athletes
🎦 40:25-41:26⏩
Jonathan shares two brief but poignant updates:
- Ukraine has returned the bodies of 250 fallen defenders from various regions, including Luhansk, Bakhmut, Mariinka, Avdiivka, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mariupol, Horlivka, and morgues in Russia.
- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo awarded two Ukrainian athletes the city's highest honor and paid tribute to the 489 Ukrainian athletes who have died since February 2022, acknowledging their sacrifice. Jonathan commends France for highlighting this often-overlooked aspect of the war's impact, drawing attention to the loss of potential Olympians defending their homeland.
Wrap up
🎦 41:26-41:28⏩
Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to like, subscribe, and share the video. He bids farewell and signs off.
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