Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
"The Russian economy will falter well before we do."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:17⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his Ukraine War News Update, focusing on military aid. He notes that there's much to cover before providing a quick update on the situation in Syria.
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Syria Update: Rebel Advance
🎦 00:17-02:51⏩
Jonathan provides a detailed update on the situation in Syria:
- Rebel groups, represented by white on the map, continue advancing south after capturing Aleppo.
- The Wikipedia map has been updated, showing the rebels' progress.
- The city of Hama appears close to falling to the rebels, with reports of SAA (Syrian Assad forces) withdrawing.
- Rebel forces entered Hama 24 hours after taking Aleppo, marking a significant advance.
- There are reports of panic among SAA ranks in Hama and its airport.
- Tendal reports that rebel factions in the north have agreed to cease hostilities, uniting against the common enemies: Assad, Russia, ISIS, and Iran.
- A Syrian military officer has suggested a possible military coup to oust Assad and halt the rebel advance.
- Assad and his family are reportedly in Moscow, potentially seeking more military support or fearing for their safety.
- Jonathan speculates that the situation could collapse rapidly, comparing it to a slow-burning bankruptcy that suddenly accelerates.
Ukraine: Zelensky's Call for Equipment and NATO Membership
🎦 02:51-04:53⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to Ukraine:
- Zelensky emphasizes the need for military equipment, stating that Ukraine only received equipment for 2.5 out of the requested 10 brigades from partners. He emphasizes the need to equip the remaining 7.5 brigades.
- Jonathan acknowledges Zelensky's claim about having reserves but lacking equipment to utilise them, acknowledging the frustration this would cause.
- Zelensky's shift in rhetoric: proposes that Russia temporarily retains control of occupied territories while Ukraine joins NATO.
- This suggestion, previously discussed by Jonathan, would prevent Russia from seizing more territory.
- Jonathan ponders the possibility of sanctions remaining to compel Russia to relinquish occupied territories.
EU Macro-financial Assistance to Ukraine and Luxembourg's Military Support
🎦 04:53-06:08⏩
- The EU is advancing a plan to provide Ukraine with €18.1 billion in macro-financial assistance, derived from frozen Russian assets, as part of the G7's $50 billion package.
- Luxembourg pledges an initial €80 million for direct military equipment purchases from Ukraine's defense industry, adopting the Danish model.
- Luxembourg has also allocated over €200 million for direct arms purchases for Ukraine, with an additional €80 million earmarked for 2025.
German PBV-302 Update
🎦 06:08-06:51⏩
- Jonathan provides an update on the German-made PBV-302s (Panzerbandfahnen):
- Confirms the previous report of one being immobilized and likely destroyed by Russian forces.
- Reiterates that not all PBV-302s are in Ukraine, with more on the way, as evidenced by sightings in Dresden.
France: Mirage Jets, Air Defence and Military Instructors
🎦 06:51-07:55⏩
- France is expediting the transfer of Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine, as confirmed by Zelensky.
- During discussions with Macron, France also reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering Ukraine's air defenses.
- Five French MPs from various political parties have urged their defense minister to dispatch military instructors to Ukraine for training purposes.
- The MPs advocate for a European coalition led by France, the UK, Poland, Baltic states, and Scandinavia to facilitate this training initiative.
- Jonathan sees this as positive pressure on the French government to contribute to Ukraine's training efforts.
Germany: New Ammunition Plant in Lithuania
🎦 07:55-10:26⏩
- Construction of Rheinmetall's new 155mm artillery ammunition plant in Lithuania is underway, slated for operation in mid-2026.
- This plant, producing shell bodies and handling load, assemble, and pack operations, will manufacture tens of thousands of projectiles annually.
- Rheinmetall aims to produce over 1,000,000 155mm projectiles per year globally by the end of 2026.
- Jonathan ponders the implications of a potential peace deal before the plant becomes operational, questioning the return on investment.
- However, he acknowledges the depletion of artillery ammunition stockpiles among allies (e.g. the UK) due to supplying Ukraine.
- This situation, in Jonathan's view, justifies the construction of such facilities to replenish depleted stockpiles.
- The new Rheinmetall facility, built on 340 hectares with a €180 million investment, signifies a major step in boosting European ammunition production.
Czech Republic-Germany "Ringtausch" Completion
🎦 10:26-11:07⏩
- The first "Ringtausch" agreement (backfilling arrangement) between the Czech Republic and Germany is complete.
- Germany has supplied the Czech Republic with 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, ammunition, spare parts, and Bergepanzer III armored recovery vehicles.
- This delivery compensates for the Czech Republic sending 20 T-72M1 main battle tanks to Ukraine.
- Jonathan highlights that while congratulating Czechia is appropriate, it's essential to recognize Germany's role in facilitating this arrangement.
Germany: Solar Modules for Kherson
🎦 11:07-12:26⏩
- The German state of Schleswig-Holstein will provide €500,000 for solar modules for Kherson, announced by Minister President Daniel Gunter.
- Jonathan, who has long advocated for the decentralization of Ukraine's energy grid, sees this as a positive step towards energy security.
- Decentralized energy systems, with solar panels and potentially wind turbines, can provide essential services like schools and hospitals with greater resilience against attacks on centralized infrastructure.
- He emphasizes the vulnerability of large power plants (thermal, hydroelectric) to Russian attacks, highlighting the strategic importance of localized energy solutions.
Canada: Winter Gear Delivery
🎦 12:26-12:46⏩
- Canada has delivered approximately 200 pallets of winter gear to Ukrainian soldiers via commercial flights.
- The shipment includes essential items such as sleeping bags, thermals, boots, and socks, crucial for soldiers' well-being on the front lines.
Finland: Investment in Ukraine's Reconstruction
🎦 12:46-13:06⏩
- Finnish companies are planning investments in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts, focusing on the energy, IT, and agriculture sectors.
- Jonathan sees this as a positive sign of Finland's commitment to supporting Ukraine's recovery.
US: AMRAAMs and PAC-3 MSEs Delivery
🎦 13:06-14:07⏩
- President Biden confirms the delivery of hundreds of AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and PAC-3 MSEs to Ukraine.
- These deliveries are part of resequenced Foreign Military Sales (FMS) orders, prioritizing Ukraine's needs.
- The US is providing military aid to Ukraine through various channels, including direct sales and presidential drawdown authority.
Bristol with Love: Generator Donation
🎦 14:07-15:12⏩
- Jonathan highlights the efforts of "Bristol with Love," a group he previously interviewed, who recently delivered aid to the Romanian border.
- "Bristol with Love" has purchased 25 generators for Ukraine, two months ahead of schedule, thanks to successful fundraising.
- Jonathan expresses admiration for their dedication and the statement "The Russian economy will falter well before we do," encouraging viewers to support them.
North Korea's Support for Russia
🎦 15:12-16:25⏩
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged unwavering support for Russia's war in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
- Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang included discussions on strengthening the strategic partnership and defending national sovereignty.
- Jonathan expresses concern about North Korea's role as a major Russian ally, extending beyond troops and ammunition.
North Korean Military Equipment in Ukraine
🎦 16:25-16:58⏩
- Ukraine reportedly destroyed a North Korean Bullseye-4 missile system (previously identified as a Bolsai) in Kharkiv Oblast.
- This incident adds to growing evidence of North Korean military hardware being used by Russian forces in Ukraine.
- Jonathan notes a previous instance of a Bullseye missile being used by Russia, suggesting a longer-standing presence of North Korean weaponry.
- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's statement, "North Korea has given Russia much more than Europe has been able to give the Ukrainians," highlights the scale of North Korean support.
- This support includes an estimated 9 million artillery shells, 11,000–100,000 troops, 62 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), 62 self-propelled guns, and anti-tank guided missile systems.
Russian Drone Usage: Transition to "Privet" Drones
🎦 16:58-18:21⏩
- Jonathan discusses Andrew Perpetua's observations on Russian drone usage.
- A drone pilot previously known for using "Molnir" drones has transitioned to exclusively using "Privet" drones.
- "Privet" is the primary competitor to "Molnir," signifying the advancement of Russian drone technology over the past year.
- The "Privet" drone's design, featuring wood construction, reduces its radar signature, similar to the cardboard drones used by Australia.
Wrap up
🎦 18:21-19:03⏩
- Jonathan concludes the video, thanking viewers for their support and apologizing for the extended length.
- He emphasizes the importance of covering these interconnected global events to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.