Ukraine War Update EXTRA: Oil Price Cap, Brainwashed Youth, Carlson, & Medkits
Table of Contents 📖
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"When you are at war with Russia and you've got pro-Russian politicians acting in your parliaments, that is really, really controversial."
Hello Team!
Jonathan's internet is back up after UK intelligence services got involved to overcome Putin's attempts to shut him out. He will now provide an Ukraine war update extra video with "extra nuggets and tidbits".
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Russian Mobilised Soldier's Medkit
A Ukrainian soldier examines the contents of a medkit taken off a dead Russian mobilised conscript. The medkit, produced in St Petersburg in 2022, contains very basic supplies like a rubber tourniquet band from 1941 and a booklet on self-help. This provides insight into the poor quality equipment being issued to newly mobilised Russian soldiers.
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Russian Car Market
Only 14 out of 60 car brands will remain in the Russian market by the end of 2022, with 11 of those being Chinese and domestic Russian brands like Lada, as Western manufacturers have pulled out. Earlier in the conflict, there were reports that Russian cars were being made without airbags due to inability to source the electronic components.
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New Ukrainian Drone
Engineers in Kharkiv have developed a new drone that is practically invisible to radar, well-protected from electronic warfare, with a range of 150km and operating altitude of 800-1000m. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already tested it for reconnaissance in enemy rear areas. The drone appears to be launched by an elastic mechanism and the propellers engage as it is pulled back and released. Such drones will be very important for Ukraine.
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Brainwashing of Ukrainian Youth
One of the most insidious aspects of the war is the filtration camps where tens or hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have disappeared into Russia. A video shows 45 Ukrainian youths from Luhansk and Donetsk taken to a camp in Chechnya for "military patriotic training". The Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova (who is sanctioned), claims there are no educational or social institutions in these occupied regions to support "socially troubled" youth in need of "re-education". However, Jonathan points out the absurdity and hypocrisy of this claim. These camps, which have existed in Chechnya since 2017 with plans to open 10 more across Russia, are a form of brainwashing and indoctrination of vulnerable children too young to resist, with the aim of turning them into sympathisers of their Russian oppressors. Jonathan expresses his strong feelings against this exploitation and manipulation of young minds.
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Tucker Carlson's Controversial Take
Tucker Carlson, a controversial right-wing opinion host on Fox News in the US, made provocative comments claiming that Ukrainian President Zelensky is "far closer to Lenin than to George Washington", calling him a "dictator" and "dangerous authoritarian" who has used US tax dollars to "erect a one-party police state" by shutting down opposition parties, critical media, and arresting opponents. While Jonathan acknowledges there are elements of truth to this, he argues that Carlson fails to understand the realities and necessities of a country at war, where quick decision-making is crucial and "dissent can be really, really dangerous." He compares it to the hypothetical scenario of having Nazi party members in the US Congress during WWII. Jonathan believes Carlson is warping reality to fit his own agenda of being anti-Ukraine and pro-Putin. He speculates this could be due to Carlson's affinity for authoritarian leaders and opposition to anything supported by Biden and the Democrats. Jonathan sees Carlson's rhetoric as dangerous and divisive.
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Oil Price Cap Explained
The G7 plus Australia have agreed to a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil traded outside the bloc. This aims to reduce Russia's oil revenues which help finance the war, while avoiding a complete disruption to global oil markets that would spike prices. The cap will be enforced by European firms refusing to insure or transport Russian oil unless it is sold at or below $60. This takes advantage of the UK and Europe's dominance in the global maritime insurance industry. Russia has said it will not abide by the cap even if it means cutting production. The effectiveness of the cap remains to be seen, as the $60 level is close to what Russia is already selling at, so an immediate nosedive in revenues is unlikely. The level will be reviewed every 2 months. Potential loopholes include falsified records, side deals, ship-to-ship transfers, or Russia retaliating in as yet unspecified ways. Enforcement may prove challenging. Jonathan provides a detailed explanation of the supply/demand economic principles behind the price cap and how it compares to other potential options like flooding the market to reduce prices.
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Wrap up
Jonathan hopes this extra update with additional details and analysis has been useful and interesting. He encourages viewers to like, subscribe, share and support the channel. He also plugs his fiction books written under the name Johnny Pearce. He thanks the audience and signs off.
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