Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"Trump has criticized US support for Ukraine and derided Ukrainian President Zelensky as a salesman, while also praising Putin and touting his good relationship with him."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:44⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his Ukraine War Update which will focus on Military Aid. Jonathan is frustrated with the rhetoric coming from the incoming US administration which appears to suggest a lack of support for Ukraine going forward.
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Ukraine given permission to use Storm Shadow Missiles to strike targets in Russia
🎦 00:46-01:10⏩
The Times has reported (citing sources) that the US has allowed Ukraine to use UK supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's position on their use has changed - he previously opposed their use. The Telegraph had previously reported that Macron and Starmer had tried to convince Biden to grant permission as the US had been against it.
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France does not require US approval for Ukraine to use Scalp Missiles
🎦 01:11-01:44⏩
Jonathan speculates that the Storm Shadow issue had been an American thing and they have now relented. Politico are reporting that France have stated they do not require Washington's approval to allow Ukraine to use Scalp-EG cruise missiles (the French equivalent of the Storm Shadow) to strike targets in Russia. However, there's no evidence that Ukraine has used them to strike Russian territory yet. Jonathan suggests that low stockpiles of Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles will limit their effectiveness.
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Russia concerned about potential use of Storm Shadow missiles against Crimean Bridge
🎦 01:44-03:03⏩
Jonathan speculates that there's some concern in Russia about the potential use of Storm Shadow/Scalp-EG missiles to strike targets within Russia. There are reports that missile squads are approaching the Crimean Bridge, Akhtarsk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Partisan group Atesh have reported that Russia has moved air defences from Yevpatoria to the Crimean Bridge. Jonathan suggests that this is evidence of panic that Storm Shadow/Scalp-EG missiles will be used against the Crimean Bridge.
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USA announces new military aid package for Ukraine totalling $275m
🎦 03:04-03:45⏩
The Pentagon has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine totalling at least $275m according to the Associated Press. The aid package includes:
- HIMARS systems (not just rockets/missiles)
- 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds
- Javelin anti-armour munitions
- Other equipment and spare parts
The weapons will be provided using Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) which allows the Pentagon to quickly send supplies from its own stockpiles.
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Biden Administration rushing to deliver all military aid before Trump takes office
🎦 03:46-05:06⏩
The upcoming Trump presidency has triggered a rush by the Biden administration to ensure that all military aid that has been approved by Congress is delivered and that Kyiv is in a strong position going into the winter. The Biden administration will have to send $7.1bn in weapons from Pentagon stockpiles before Trump takes office to spend the funds. This includes $4.3bn from the foreign aid bill that was passed earlier this year and $2.8bn still available. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has confirmed that they are committed to using the full authority that Congress has allotted to them to send equipment and capabilities to Ukraine.
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USA approves $100m Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine for vehicle refurbishment, technical assistance, training and logistics support
🎦 05:06-07:07⏩
The State Department has authorised a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Ukraine for $100m for the refurbishment of vehicles, technical assistance, training, publications and logistics support. This will be paid for by the Ukrainian government. The sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the USA. Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its sustainment capabilities to keep US supplied vehicles and weapon systems operational. The proposed sale will not affect the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be determined from approved vendors and there are no known offset agreements. Jonathan notes that US contractors can now go to Ukraine but the sale does not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Ukraine. He speculates whether the wording allows for additional contractors to be sent or that there are existing contractors already in Ukraine who can provide the services. The sale will not affect US defence readiness.
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USA and Ukraine in advanced discussions about $50bn loan backed by frozen Russian assets
🎦 07:07-08:03⏩
The Biden administration is also working to send $50bn in loans to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets before Trump takes office, according to two senior administration officials (who were not authorised to comment publicly). The US and Ukraine are in advanced talks to discuss the terms of the loan and are looking to complete the process for the $20bn portion of the loan that the US is backing before the end of the year. The remaining $30bn will come from the European Union, UK, Canada and Japan (amongst others). Trump has been critical of US support for Ukraine and has praised Putin and their relationship. He has claimed (without providing details) that he will end the war before his inauguration on 20th January 2025.
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Trump suggests Ukraine may need to cede territory to end the war
🎦 08:04-08:34⏩
Trump has reiterated his pledge to end the war in Ukraine but has provided little information. He has suggested that Ukraine may need to cede territory to end the war, stating that if they had made a deal to cede territory earlier "everybody would be living and every building would be built and every tower would be standing for another 2000 years."
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Jake Sullivan criticised for claiming F-16s have been delivered to Ukraine
🎦 08:37-09:12⏩
Edward Hunter Christie has criticised US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for claiming that the situation in Ukraine is not due to a lack of weapons but issues with mobilisation. Sullivan said that the US has provided tanks, F-16s, HIMARS and Patriot systems. Christie says that Sullivan is lying and the US has provided zero F-16s and has slowed down efforts by European countries to provide them to Ukraine.
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USA reverses policy and will send anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine
🎦 09:15-09:28⏩
Biden has authorised sending anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine, reversing a prior policy. US officials cite the need to counter mass Russian troop attacks in the east. The mines will be non-persistent and will become inactive after a few weeks. Ukraine has pledged to avoid using them in populated areas.
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Ukrainian soldier highlights need for anti-personnel mines
🎦 09:28-09:56⏩
Kriegsforscher (a Ukrainian soldier fighting in Kursk) has highlighted the need for anti-personnel mines to protect Ukrainian positions and to prevent the enemy from sustaining contact in trenches. He believes that solving the lack of mines will help with the trench warfare issue.
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Poland ready to increase military and financial aid to Ukraine if USA reduces support
🎦 09:57-10:14⏩
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has said that the largest EU countries are prepared to increase financial and military aid to Ukraine if the US reduces support under a potential Trump administration. He believes that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. Jonathan welcomes this news and that some European countries are willing to increase support to Ukraine.
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Poland preparing 45th military aid package for Ukraine and working on the 46th
🎦 10:14-10:28⏩
Zelensky has thanked the Polish people for their solidarity with Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said that Poland is preparing its 45th military aid package and has started working on the 46th. Jonathan welcomes this news and believes that Poland will play an integral role in providing continued support for Ukraine.
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Poland to start domestic production of Nitrocellulose and Multi-base Powders
🎦 10:29-11:25⏩
Poland has signed a letter of intent with domestic companies to start production of Nitrocellulose and Multi-base Powders which are essential for ammunition production. There has been a bottleneck in the supply of Nitrocellulose which is used to manufacture explosives. Jonathan believes that China plays an important role in Nitrocellulose production and that Poland's move is an attempt to reduce reliance on vulnerable suppliers. He believes that this will be good for Europe and for Poland in particular.
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German Bundestag to vote on Taurus Missile Proposal
🎦 11:29-12:24⏩
Germany's Bundestag is set to vote on a proposal to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. The vote will not be binding. The FDP (the former coalition party) has left the coalition after an argument with Olaf Scholz about Taurus missiles and funding. The FDP wanted to supply Taurus missiles but Scholz wanted €3bn in funding. The FDP will now put the Taurus missile proposal to a vote in the Bundestag. There have been previous votes on Taurus missiles which have not resulted in them being supplied to Ukraine because it has been a partisan and political issue. Jonathan believes that with the FDP leaving the coalition, the vote may be freer this time.
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Germany has sent significant military aid to Ukraine over the past 5 weeks including drones, howitzers, MRAPs and more
🎦 12:24-13:47⏩
Germany has sent significant military aid to Ukraine over the past 5 weeks including:
- 60 Golden Eagle drones
- 12 Hornet drones
- 100 RQ-35 Heidrun drones
- 20 Vector drones
- 2 VT-4 drones
- 120 Songbird drones
- 4 Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers
- 7 M109 howitzers
- 47 FFG MRAPs
- 8 Caracal air assault vehicles
- TRML-4D radar
- Mine clearing tanks
- Mine ploughs
- Bridge laying tanks
- Oshkosh M1070 tank transporters
- Border protection vehicles
- Ammunition and shells
Germany has also pledged more drones (75), 40 drone detection systems and 14 tracked and remote controlled infantry vehicles (ground drones). Jonathan highlights the significant amount of military aid that Germany has sent to Ukraine.
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Delays to delivery of FFG MRAPs to Ukraine due to issues with US export approvals
🎦 13:47-16:21⏩
Only 26 of the 400 FFG MRAPs that were pledged by Germany have been delivered to Ukraine. It appears that the delay is due to a US issue. The first 66 that were delivered did not have any mine protection despite being advertised as armoured combat vehicles. The German government is paying €400,000 more per vehicle than the US model (BAT UMG) to have the final assembly carried out by a German company. Deliveries of the MRAPs are falling behind expectations. Julian Röpcke has been investigating and the German MoD have shifted the blame onto US authorities who have to approve arms exports in advance. The FFG MRAPs are not independently developed vehicles but are licence-produced Oshkosh M-ATV/JLTVs, hence the need for US approval. The German MoD has stated that US export approvals were late which delayed work on the vehicles.
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Only 70 FFG MRAPs expected to be delivered by the end of the year
🎦 16:22-16:47⏩
There have been 3 month delays in the delivery of the FFG MRAPs and only 4 were delivered in the first week of October (instead of 20). Even if the minimum goal is met in November and December, it is likely that only 70 will have been delivered by the end of the year (not 400).
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Czech Zuzana 2 howitzers now being used by Ukrainian National Guard
🎦 16:48-17:29⏩
The Commander of the Ukrainian National Guard, Oleksandr Pivnenko, has confirmed that Zuzana 2 howitzers are now being deployed with National Guard units in Ukraine. It is possible that some of the Zuzana 2s already in service have been moved to the National Guard, but this could also indicate new deliveries.
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Four Zuzana 2s financed by Germany, Denmark and Norway to be delivered by the end of the year
🎦 17:29-17:52⏩
Ukraine are due to buy some Zuzana 2 howitzers from Slovakia but there are rumours that the purchase has been delayed due to issues with funding from UNITED24. However, 4 Zuzana 2 howitzers (worth €23m) financed by Germany, Denmark and Norway will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year.
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South Korea did not contribute to Czech initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine
🎦 17:52-18:08⏩
South Korea did not contribute to a Czech initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine, according to the Czech government commissioner for the restoration of Ukraine. Jonathan speculates that this could mean that South Korea has plenty of artillery shells available.
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Putin gifts animals from Moscow Zoo to North Korea in return for sending troops to Ukraine
🎦 18:09-18:34⏩
Following reports that North Korea has sent troops to Ukraine, Putin has gifted over 70 animals from Moscow Zoo to North Korea including bears, lions, yaks and birds. North Korean authorities have said that this is a gift from Putin to the Korean people. Jonathan sarcastically notes that North Korea has received a good deal - animals in return for 9 million artillery shells.
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Denmark allocates €130m to support Ukraine's defence industry
🎦 18:34-19:01⏩
Denmark has allocated €130m to support Ukraine's defence industry, according to the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen who visited Kyiv. Ukraine has produced 2.5 million mortar and artillery shells this year. Jonathan notes that this is a significant increase in production and is good news.
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Denmark funds Luty and Maroka Kamikaze drones
🎦 19:02-19:38⏩
Ukrainian made Luty and Maroka Kamikaze drones (funded by Denmark) have been shown during a press briefing with Zelensky and Frederiksen. Denmark will allocate $135.7m for the development of Ukraine's defence industry.
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Zelensky and Frederiksen meet Ukrainian drone manufacturers and soldiers
🎦 19:38-20:00⏩
Zelensky and Frederiksen met with Ukrainian drone manufacturers and soldiers using them. They reviewed drones purchased by Denmark following the Danish model with funding allocated by a state-owned enterprise.
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Ukraine developing FPV drones to shoot down Shahed drones
🎦 20:00-20:17⏩
Zelensky has said that Ukrainian FPV drones are now able to shoot down Russian reconnaissance drones such as the Orlan-10, Zala and Supercam. Ukraine is now looking to develop a solution to shoot down Shahed drones using FPV drones. Jonathan notes that he had heard a rumour about this previously. This could be another tool to defend against Shahed drones which Ukraine has been successful in shooting down.
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Ukraine develops drone FPV carrier
🎦 20:17-21:19⏩
Ukraine has developed a drone which can carry up to 6 FPV drones. Jonathan wonders whether the drone also acts as a repeater for the FPV drones to extend their range as it would need to stay in range to relay the signal, otherwise the drones could be flown directly by the operator. He speculates that the drone is used to drop FPV drones behind enemy lines.
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Wrap up
🎦 21:19-21:28⏩
Jonathan thanks his viewers for their support.
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