Providing US Patriot missiles could transform Ukraine’s defences. But it’s a move with risks
Jack Wartling for the Guardian
The Biden administration has crossed a new line in its support for Ukraine, by indicating its willingness to send Patriot air and missile defence systems to aid in the war against Russia. The system – which includes powerful missile interceptors and radar – is likely to prove highly effective for Ukraine, and marks a significant step forward in the scope and complexity of the US’s support. But the gift of such prestige systems will present longer-term challenges for Nato.
...
Ukrainian armed forces’ consumption of ammunition significantly exceeds the available supply, and their artillery is wearing out barrels faster than they can be replaced. The hollowing out of Nato’s defence industries has left the alliance in poor shape to support sustained high-intensity operations. In the case of systems such as Patriot, the challenge is greater because it takes much longer to manufacture precision weapons such as air defence missiles than it does to make unguided artillery rounds.
...
#TransFormatorBuzzes 💤 :
Well, there are two aspects to the whole story, which becomes especially important given the fact that Zelensky is already in the USA, begging for more money and weapons. The first is that there is no such a thing like 100% efficient air-defense system. Certainly, Americans are keen to test it in a real combat situation with a competent adversary, though simultaneously they are running the risk of set-backs that may negatively affect their image. Second aspect is something that you would not expect... Russian military were trained to deal with "Patriot" for all the time the system is being used. There were some indications, that they can do it better, than counteracting the Soviet made S-300, which were presenting the bulk of Ukrainian air-defense and are much depleted now.
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Read the complete version here ⬇️
Jack Wartling for the Guardian
The Biden administration has crossed a new line in its support for Ukraine, by indicating its willingness to send Patriot air and missile defence systems to aid in the war against Russia. The system – which includes powerful missile interceptors and radar – is likely to prove highly effective for Ukraine, and marks a significant step forward in the scope and complexity of the US’s support. But the gift of such prestige systems will present longer-term challenges for Nato.
...
Ukrainian armed forces’ consumption of ammunition significantly exceeds the available supply, and their artillery is wearing out barrels faster than they can be replaced. The hollowing out of Nato’s defence industries has left the alliance in poor shape to support sustained high-intensity operations. In the case of systems such as Patriot, the challenge is greater because it takes much longer to manufacture precision weapons such as air defence missiles than it does to make unguided artillery rounds.
...
#TransFormatorBuzzes 💤 :
Well, there are two aspects to the whole story, which becomes especially important given the fact that Zelensky is already in the USA, begging for more money and weapons. The first is that there is no such a thing like 100% efficient air-defense system. Certainly, Americans are keen to test it in a real combat situation with a competent adversary, though simultaneously they are running the risk of set-backs that may negatively affect their image. Second aspect is something that you would not expect... Russian military were trained to deal with "Patriot" for all the time the system is being used. There were some indications, that they can do it better, than counteracting the Soviet made S-300, which were presenting the bulk of Ukrainian air-defense and are much depleted now.
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Read the complete version here ⬇️
the Guardian
Providing US Patriot missiles could transform Ukraine’s defences. But it’s a move with risks | Jack Watling
Providing systems to defend against Russia risks weakening the west’s deterrence posture towards China, says Jack Watling of the Royal United Services Institute
French intelligence spoke about the strength of Russia
French spy Juillet: It's time for the West to stop thinking that Russia's forces are running out
MOSCOW, December 21 - RIA Novosti. The West should stop entertaining the illusion that Russia is running out of power and the Ukrainians are doing just fine, Alain Juillet, the former head of France's economic intelligence service, told Mondafrique.
"We need to stop fantasizing. Europeans often take their desires for reality. They forget one thing: these people, whether Russians or Ukrainians, are great at fighting because they are very brave. <...> They are real warriors," the publication leads expert statement.
At the same time, according to him, it was the United States that provoked the conflict in Ukraine and did everything to involve Russia in hostilities.
This, in his opinion, explains the fact that the American intelligence services were the only ones who warned about the risk of military operations before February 2022. The doubt of European intelligence about the possibility of an armed conflict in Ukraine last winter was the result of distrust of the Americans, who "regularly lie", the post says.
According to Juillet, in 2014 and 2015, France and Germany were well aware that US actions in Ukraine threatened a full-scale conflict between the pro-Russian and pro-Western populations.
"What happened next? We were unable to achieve the implementation of the first and second Minsk agreements, because the Americans, together with NATO, put pressure on the Ukrainians, who seized power in Kyiv. From that moment on, we lost our footing, and our special services could only watch what happens from the outside, but do not interfere," he said.
#TransFormatorBuzzes 💤 :
Apart from trying to whitewash their own failures, the blaming of Americans appears natural for a French officer...
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French spy Juillet: It's time for the West to stop thinking that Russia's forces are running out
MOSCOW, December 21 - RIA Novosti. The West should stop entertaining the illusion that Russia is running out of power and the Ukrainians are doing just fine, Alain Juillet, the former head of France's economic intelligence service, told Mondafrique.
"We need to stop fantasizing. Europeans often take their desires for reality. They forget one thing: these people, whether Russians or Ukrainians, are great at fighting because they are very brave. <...> They are real warriors," the publication leads expert statement.
At the same time, according to him, it was the United States that provoked the conflict in Ukraine and did everything to involve Russia in hostilities.
This, in his opinion, explains the fact that the American intelligence services were the only ones who warned about the risk of military operations before February 2022. The doubt of European intelligence about the possibility of an armed conflict in Ukraine last winter was the result of distrust of the Americans, who "regularly lie", the post says.
According to Juillet, in 2014 and 2015, France and Germany were well aware that US actions in Ukraine threatened a full-scale conflict between the pro-Russian and pro-Western populations.
"What happened next? We were unable to achieve the implementation of the first and second Minsk agreements, because the Americans, together with NATO, put pressure on the Ukrainians, who seized power in Kyiv. From that moment on, we lost our footing, and our special services could only watch what happens from the outside, but do not interfere," he said.
#TransFormatorBuzzes 💤 :
Apart from trying to whitewash their own failures, the blaming of Americans appears natural for a French officer...
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РИА Новости
Французский разведчик высказался о силе России
Запад должен перестать тешить себя иллюзиями о том, что силы России на исходе, а у украинцев все прекрасно, заявил в интервью Mondafrique бывший глава службы... РИА Новости, 21.12.2022
Russia and India are moving away from the dollar and the euro in mutual trade
MOSCOW, December 21 - RIA Novosti. Russia and India are switching to national currencies in mutual trade, Zamir Kabulov, director of the second department of the Foreign Ministry, told RIA Novosti.
"We are fundamentally moving away from the dollar and the euro, we must switch to national currencies," the diplomat said.
He added that for a full-fledged transition, the issue of the remaining imbalance in trade operations must be addressed.
“India still buys more than five times more than it sells from us. <...> Specialists are working on this, looking for a reasonable compromise,” Kabulov concluded.
In early November, the Indian government allowed the use of the national currency in international trade settlements. Last week, the CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, Ajay Sahay, announced that the country would start using the rupee in settlements with Russia this year.
According to the Indian Express, India intends to double the volume of trade with Russia, using, in particular, the national currency.
#India
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MOSCOW, December 21 - RIA Novosti. Russia and India are switching to national currencies in mutual trade, Zamir Kabulov, director of the second department of the Foreign Ministry, told RIA Novosti.
"We are fundamentally moving away from the dollar and the euro, we must switch to national currencies," the diplomat said.
He added that for a full-fledged transition, the issue of the remaining imbalance in trade operations must be addressed.
“India still buys more than five times more than it sells from us. <...> Specialists are working on this, looking for a reasonable compromise,” Kabulov concluded.
In early November, the Indian government allowed the use of the national currency in international trade settlements. Last week, the CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, Ajay Sahay, announced that the country would start using the rupee in settlements with Russia this year.
According to the Indian Express, India intends to double the volume of trade with Russia, using, in particular, the national currency.
#India
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РИА Новости
Россия и Индия уходят от доллара и евро во взаимной торговле, заявили в МИД
Россия и Индия во взаимной торговле переходят на национальные валюты, заявил РИА Новости директор второго департамента МИД Замир Кабулов. РИА Новости, 21.12.2022
Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament Kever called the West's plan to turn Ukraine into a military base a mistake
MOSCOW, December 21 - RIA Novosti. The Western world has made a serious mistake in the situation with Ukraine, Laszlo Kever, speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, said on the air of the InfoRadio radio station.
"The West made a strategic mistake when it tried not only to take Ukraine out of Moscow's sphere of interest, but also to turn it into a large military base aimed at Russia," he said.
According to the politician, sanctions have harmed Europe much more than Russia.
"As the sanctions policy began, it became more and more obvious that there were efforts, not necessarily European initiatives, of which the European political elite for some reason became enthusiastic supporters: to destroy Russia economically, politically, in every sense, separate from Europe in order to create a new Iron Curtain", Kever added.
At the same time, he stressed that Budapest stands for the sovereignty of Ukraine.
The armed conflict should be resolved as soon as possible, and then a new European security system should be created, in which the interests of all countries of the continent will be fairly taken into account, the head of parliament concluded.
#TransFormatorBuzzes 💤 :
That is a rare occasion when a politician demonstrates some common sense while in office, not right after retirement and becoming just another "ex". But that is Hungary...
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MOSCOW, December 21 - RIA Novosti. The Western world has made a serious mistake in the situation with Ukraine, Laszlo Kever, speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, said on the air of the InfoRadio radio station.
"The West made a strategic mistake when it tried not only to take Ukraine out of Moscow's sphere of interest, but also to turn it into a large military base aimed at Russia," he said.
According to the politician, sanctions have harmed Europe much more than Russia.
"As the sanctions policy began, it became more and more obvious that there were efforts, not necessarily European initiatives, of which the European political elite for some reason became enthusiastic supporters: to destroy Russia economically, politically, in every sense, separate from Europe in order to create a new Iron Curtain", Kever added.
At the same time, he stressed that Budapest stands for the sovereignty of Ukraine.
The armed conflict should be resolved as soon as possible, and then a new European security system should be created, in which the interests of all countries of the continent will be fairly taken into account, the head of parliament concluded.
#TransFormatorBuzzes 💤 :
That is a rare occasion when a politician demonstrates some common sense while in office, not right after retirement and becoming just another "ex". But that is Hungary...
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РИА Новости
Спикер парламента Венгрии откровенно высказался об Украине и Западе
Западный мир серьезно ошибся в ситуации с Украиной, заявил спикер Государственного собрания Венгрии Ласло Кевер в эфире радиостанции InfoRadio. РИА Новости, 21.12.2022
Forwarded from MoD Russia
🗓 Top News Today
◽️In South Donetsk direction, provisional bases of the units of the AFU 61st and 72nd mechanised brigades have been destroyed by Russian artillery fire.
💥2 AFU MiG-29 aircraft, 1 Mi-8 helicopter, 1 Su-25 aircraft and 1 Mi-8 helicopter have been destroyed by Russian Armed Forces.
📹Footage of combat actions of Russia’ T-90M Proryv , Grad MLRS, Ka-52 attack helicopter and mortar crews within the special military operation.
🪖Mobilised personnel and volunteers continue their training on Sakhalin, as well as in the rear areas of the special military operation.
#MoD #TopNews #Russia #Ukraine
@mod_russia_en
◽️In South Donetsk direction, provisional bases of the units of the AFU 61st and 72nd mechanised brigades have been destroyed by Russian artillery fire.
💥2 AFU MiG-29 aircraft, 1 Mi-8 helicopter, 1 Su-25 aircraft and 1 Mi-8 helicopter have been destroyed by Russian Armed Forces.
📹Footage of combat actions of Russia’ T-90M Proryv , Grad MLRS, Ka-52 attack helicopter and mortar crews within the special military operation.
🪖Mobilised personnel and volunteers continue their training on Sakhalin, as well as in the rear areas of the special military operation.
#MoD #TopNews #Russia #Ukraine
@mod_russia_en
Before the active phase
Medvedev arrived in China today with a personal message from Putin, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Discussion included the war in Ukraine and the general situation in the world.
Zelensky was brought to the United States today for ritual events to allocate the next tranche of American military assistance, including the Patriot air defense system. This was expected in the summer – the US will continue to raise stakes. There are no prerequisites for ending the war.
Today, Putin will take part in the expanded Collegium of the Russian Defense Ministry, where the course and results of the 2022 campaign and the 2023 campaign will be considered. Perhaps there will be some statements on the topic of future events. Many expect that after a series of these events, the intensive phase of the winter campaign 2022-2023 will start.
Translated from Colonelcassad
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Medvedev arrived in China today with a personal message from Putin, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Discussion included the war in Ukraine and the general situation in the world.
Zelensky was brought to the United States today for ritual events to allocate the next tranche of American military assistance, including the Patriot air defense system. This was expected in the summer – the US will continue to raise stakes. There are no prerequisites for ending the war.
Today, Putin will take part in the expanded Collegium of the Russian Defense Ministry, where the course and results of the 2022 campaign and the 2023 campaign will be considered. Perhaps there will be some statements on the topic of future events. Many expect that after a series of these events, the intensive phase of the winter campaign 2022-2023 will start.
Translated from Colonelcassad
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Colonelcassad
Перед активной фазой
Медведев сегодня с личным посланием Путина прибыл в Китай, где встретился с председателем КНР Си Цзиньпином. Обсуждается в том числе война на Украине и общая ситуация в мире.
Зеленского сегодня привезли в США для ритуальных мероприятий…
Медведев сегодня с личным посланием Путина прибыл в Китай, где встретился с председателем КНР Си Цзиньпином. Обсуждается в том числе война на Украине и общая ситуация в мире.
Зеленского сегодня привезли в США для ритуальных мероприятий…
Attention. Translated from Ukrainian channel:
More Western weapons will now be transferred to Ukraine. The emphasis is not on quantity, but on accuracy.
While Russia easily produces ammunition for guns and MLRS on its own, Ukraine does not. Delivering from Europe, Britain, USA is very expensive and difficult. This has already created a shortage of ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Patriot air defense system may be handed over next year.
But it depends on many nuances. Most likely, the conditions will be that it will be placed somewhere in western Ukraine, so that the Russians will not be able to demonstratively destroy it. Most likely it will be controlled by American instructors.
The main condition is to form in the media an excellent image of these units in order to increase the popularity and order package for them (especially after the “patriots” missed the blow to the Saudi refinery).
Ukraine is an advertising ground for military corporations, for which it is important to promote their toys in order to earn billions.
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More Western weapons will now be transferred to Ukraine. The emphasis is not on quantity, but on accuracy.
While Russia easily produces ammunition for guns and MLRS on its own, Ukraine does not. Delivering from Europe, Britain, USA is very expensive and difficult. This has already created a shortage of ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Patriot air defense system may be handed over next year.
But it depends on many nuances. Most likely, the conditions will be that it will be placed somewhere in western Ukraine, so that the Russians will not be able to demonstratively destroy it. Most likely it will be controlled by American instructors.
The main condition is to form in the media an excellent image of these units in order to increase the popularity and order package for them (especially after the “patriots” missed the blow to the Saudi refinery).
Ukraine is an advertising ground for military corporations, for which it is important to promote their toys in order to earn billions.
Follow 👉 @TrFormer 💤
Telegram
Легитимный
#Раскладка
Передавать Украине теперь будут больше оружия западного образца. Акцент не на количество, а на точность.
Так как Россия сама себе легко производит боеприпасы для пушек и РСЗО, Украина - нет. Доставлять из Европы, Британии, США, очень дорого…
Передавать Украине теперь будут больше оружия западного образца. Акцент не на количество, а на точность.
Так как Россия сама себе легко производит боеприпасы для пушек и РСЗО, Украина - нет. Доставлять из Европы, Британии, США, очень дорого…
🤬1💩1
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White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby on Zelensky's visit to Washington
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Vladimir Putin: "We have been trying for decades to build relations with Ukraine."
"Well, we have done everything to build not just good neighborly but fraternal relations in the new geophysical conditions. Russia gave loans to Ukraine, energy resources were supplied almost free of charge – for years! And what... None of our acts of kindness have reached the desired end.
I want to emphasize this – we have nothing to reproach ourselves with, I say this with full responsibility. We have always – and you know my position – considered the Ukrainian people a fraternal people. I still think so. What is happening now is certainly a tragedy, our common tragedy!
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Continued below ⬇️⬇️⬇️
"Well, we have done everything to build not just good neighborly but fraternal relations in the new geophysical conditions. Russia gave loans to Ukraine, energy resources were supplied almost free of charge – for years! And what... None of our acts of kindness have reached the desired end.
I want to emphasize this – we have nothing to reproach ourselves with, I say this with full responsibility. We have always – and you know my position – considered the Ukrainian people a fraternal people. I still think so. What is happening now is certainly a tragedy, our common tragedy!
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Continued below ⬇️⬇️⬇️
🙏5
Continuation from above ⬆️
But it is not the result of our pollcy. It is the result of the policy of the third countries, which have always sought to disintegrate the Russian world. To a certain extent, they were successful and pushed us to the point where we found ourselves. It became obvious that clashes with these forces, including in Ukraine, were inevitable. The only question was when. Of course, military operations are always associated with tragedies and loss of people. We understand this very well, we are aware of this but since this is inevitable, it is better today than tomorrow. And I think that everyone present in this hall understands perfectly well what I am talking about.
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But it is not the result of our pollcy. It is the result of the policy of the third countries, which have always sought to disintegrate the Russian world. To a certain extent, they were successful and pushed us to the point where we found ourselves. It became obvious that clashes with these forces, including in Ukraine, were inevitable. The only question was when. Of course, military operations are always associated with tragedies and loss of people. We understand this very well, we are aware of this but since this is inevitable, it is better today than tomorrow. And I think that everyone present in this hall understands perfectly well what I am talking about.
Follow 👉@TrFormer💤
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TransFormator
Vladimir Putin: "We have been trying for decades to build relations with Ukraine."
"Well, we have done everything to build not just good neighborly but fraternal relations in the new geophysical conditions. Russia gave loans to Ukraine, energy resources…
"Well, we have done everything to build not just good neighborly but fraternal relations in the new geophysical conditions. Russia gave loans to Ukraine, energy resources…
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"Fill to the brim, Santa!": American cartoons before Biden's meeting with Zelensky on one topic
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Vladimir Putin: "I have asked the Ministry of Defense to be attentive to all civilian initiatives. That includes taking into account criticism and correctly in a timely manner to respond to it. It is clear that people reacts to the problems, and problems always appear in such a large and complex work. Such a reaction can be emotional but we need to hear those who do not hush up existing problems but seek to contribute to their solution. I am sure that the Ministry of Defense will be in constant dialogue with people. The unity of the army and the people has always been our strength. So it is today."
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Tommy and the team also went to the Ukraine embassy in London today to ask why we are sending BILLIONS of UK taxpayers money to fund a war when we have pensioners choosing between heating and eating this winter.
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👍3
British activists held a rally in London against funding Ukraine
English politician Tommy Robinson demands Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to curtail aid to the Nazis from Azov
On Wednesday afternoon, British activists held a rally against the funding of Ukrainian nationalist battalions from the budget of the United Kingdom. About seven picketers of different races deployed at 60 Holland Park Street, near the fence of the Ukrainian Embassy in London, a banner with the eloquent inscription:
“The United Kingdom is giving billions of pounds to Ukraine by funding the Nazis from the Azov Battalion.”
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Read the complete version here
English politician Tommy Robinson demands Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to curtail aid to the Nazis from Azov
On Wednesday afternoon, British activists held a rally against the funding of Ukrainian nationalist battalions from the budget of the United Kingdom. About seven picketers of different races deployed at 60 Holland Park Street, near the fence of the Ukrainian Embassy in London, a banner with the eloquent inscription:
“The United Kingdom is giving billions of pounds to Ukraine by funding the Nazis from the Azov Battalion.”
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Read the complete version here