DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ U.S. Abrams Tanks Reach Ukraine. Is It a Case of Too Little, Too Late?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Ian Lovett | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The M1 Abrams tank is one of the most powerful ground weapons in the U.S. arsenal, but the tank’s complicated technology and turbine engine could pose logistical challenges for Ukrainian forces. Photo: Inquam Photos/ReutersThe first U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine to help with its counteroffensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday. The questions now are how quickly can they enter the fight and how much impact will they have on a shifting battlefield.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: Abrams Locations: U.S, Ukraine

☆ Kremlin says U.S. Abrams tanks, ATACMS missiles for Ukraine can't change battlefield situation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cezary Aszkielowicz/ Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that U.S. supplies of long-range ATACMS missiles and Abrams tanks to Ukraine would not change the situation on the battlefield. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that U.S.-made Abrams tanks had arrived in his country. The jet-powered tanks were a top demand of Kyiv until Washington finally offered more than 30 of them in January. "Abrams tanks are serious weapons, but remember what the president said about other tanks made in another country," Peskov said, referring to other Western tanks supplied to Kyiv, which include German-made Leopards and British Challengers. Last Friday, NBC News, citing U.S. officials, reported that President Joe Biden had informed Zelenskiy that Washington would also provide Kyiv with ATACMS long-range missiles.

Persons: Cezary, Wyborcza.pl, Dmitry Peskov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Abrams, Peskov, Biden, Joe Biden, Zelenskiy, ATACMS, Gareth Jones Organizations: Abrams, REUTERS, Rights, Leopards, Kyiv, Army Tactical Missile Systems, NBC, U.S, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: U.S, Szczecin, Poland, Ukraine, Russian, Moscow, Kyiv, Washington, British

Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov during a send-off ceremony in Sevastopol, Crimea on September 27, 2022. Ukraine has increasingly been hitting strategic Russian targets in Crimea, the Black Sea region of southern Ukraine that has been occupied by Moscow since 2014. Russian forces employed Iranian-made drones, hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and a submarine in the assault, Ukraine’s defense forces said. A damaged building is seen following a Russian military attack in Odesa, Ukraine, in this image released on September 25. Over the past day, Russian forces launched 87 attacks on the Kherson region, Prokudin said, hitting residential areas, medical buildings, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Dmytro Pletenchuk, Pletenchuk, Vladimir Putin “, Pletenchuk’s, Viktor Sokolov, Alexey Pavlishak, Andrii Yusov, Matthew A, Foster, US Army National Guard Abrams, Sergei Lavrov, Zelensky, “, Abrams, Charlie Dietz, Oleh Kiper, Kiper, Dmitry Peskov, Oleksandr Prokudin, Prokudin Organizations: CNN, Abrams, Ukrainian Navy, Russian Navy, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, Navy, Special Operations Forces, Sea Fleet, Reuters CNN, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, US Army National Guard, US Abrams, Pentagon, General’s, Reuters, Russian Ministry of Defense Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Russian, Sevastopol, Ukrainian, Crimea, Moscow, Ukrainian Crimea, Piskie, Poland, United States, Germany, Odesa, Izmail district, Iranian, Kherson –, Beryslav, Kherson

☆ Ukraine got its first Abrams tanks from the US — 8 months after Russia's propagandists claimed it already destroyed one
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The first US Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine, bolstering its military with advanced gear. Russia propaganda made a comical claim in early 2023 to have destroyed an Abrams before any arrived. AdvertisementAdvertisementOn pro-Kremlin Telegram channels earlier this year, jubilant posts claimed the Russian military had blown up Abrams tanks in battle and boasted that they "burn like matches." This was another feature of the weapons which Russian propagandists seized on in a bid to undermine them, Reuters reported. The tanks have arrived in time to be used in Ukraine's intensifying counteroffensive, with the Ukrainian military seeking to exploit a recent breach in Russia's defensive lines in Zaporizhzhia.

Persons: Abrams, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Nexta, Joe Biden, they've, Budanov Organizations: Abrams, Service, Kremlin Telegram, US, M1, CBS News, UN, Reuters, Ukrainian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia

☆ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the US is 'directly at war' with Moscow as the White House continues to pledge weapons to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Saturday the US is "directly at war" with Moscow. His statement comes after the White House pledged $600 million in additional aid to Ukraine. The US has pledged more than $100 billion in aid packages to Ukraine since the invasion began. "You can call this whatever you want to call this, but they are directly at war with us. In addition to the extensive aid packages, the US has implemented sanctions against nearly 100 Russian elites, as well as the country's industrial base, financial institutions, and technology suppliers.

Persons: Sergey Lavrov, Abrams, Biden Organizations: Russian, White House, US, Service, CNN, United States Department of Defense, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Government of, Russian Federation Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, United States, Russia

☆ Ukraine war live updates: U.S. tanks to arrive in Ukraine next week; Zelenskyy heads to Canada to ask for further aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Hannah Ward-Glenton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine next week, President Joe Biden said Thursday, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to address the Canadian Parliament in the next leg of his North American trip. In January, the U.S. said it would send 31 M1A1 tanks to Ukraine, which amounts to one entire Ukrainian tank battalion. Zelenskyy is expected to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a staunch ally of Ukraine, for further aid, while Biden hopes to provide a further $24 billion in aid, despite opposition from some Senate members.

Persons: Abrams, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Justin Trudeau, Biden Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Ukrainian

☆ Pentagon determines Ukraine training and support exempt from potential government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Pentagon has determined that the training and support of Ukrainian forces is exempt from a potential government shutdown, according to the Defense Department, and will continue even in the increasingly likely event that Congress fails to pass a spending bill in the coming days. The determination allows critical elements of American support for Kyiv, such as the training of Ukrainian forces and the ongoing transfer of weapons to Ukraine, to proceed in the midst of an ongoing counteroffensive. “Operation Atlantic Resolve is an excepted activity under a government lapse in appropriations,” said Defense Department spokesman Chris Sherwood. Operation Atlantic Resolve refers to the US effort to support Ukraine and to bolster NATO’s eastern flank. The decision to shield the US military’s operations related to Ukraine from the effects of a possible shutdown come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington, DC, meeting with President Joe Biden, as well as top leaders at the Pentagon.

Persons: ”, Chris Sherwood, Sherwood, “, Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Defense Department, Kyiv, Defense, Politico, US M1A1 Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Ukrainian, Washington, DC

US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during an expanded bilateral meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023. The U.S. will provide Ukraine with an additional $325 million in military aid, President Joe Biden announced Thursday during a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Before the meeting began in the Oval Office, Biden and Zelenskyy gave brief remarks to the press. In Washington, Zelenskyy met for a little more than an hour with senators on Capitol Hill. Zelenskyy visited Washington in December and delivered an address to a joint meeting of Congress.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Abrams, Biden, Amanda Sloat, Andrea Mitchell, Sloat, Zelenskyy, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Kamala Harris, Defense Lloyd Austin, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Zelensky, Sen, Mike Rounds, Zelenskyy's, Cynthia Lummis, Rounds Organizations: White, Washington , D.C, National Security Council, Office, Russia, Pentagon, Defense, United Nations General Assembly, Punchbowl News, NBC, Republicans, Management, Shalanda Young, Wall Street, Capitol, General Assembly, NATO, Department of Defense Locations: Washington ,, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Ukrainian, Washington, Russia, New York City, Zelenskyy, Ukrainians, Vilnius, Lithuania

☆ Opinion: US hesitancy on weapons extends the fighting in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Sheena Mckenzie | Opinion Keir Giles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

He is the author of “Russia’s War on Everybody: And What it Means for You.” The views expressed in this commentary are his own. CNN —Russia’s war on Ukraine will soon enter another winter. And as the fighting drags on into 2024 and potentially beyond, Western backers will find it ever harder to provide what Ukraine needs. The US’s generous support for Ukraine is under threat from political trends there even before a potential change of presidency. But making Ukraine stronger is a key ingredient for Europe’s long-term security as well as for the outcome of the present war.

Persons: Keir Giles, “, CNN —, Keir Giles Munira, Abrams, —, It’s, there’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, it’s, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Chatham House, CNN, Patriot, West, Tactical Missile Systems, UN, Challenger, British Army, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Russia, Eurasia, Ukraine, Washington, Germany, America, Sweden, Russian, Crimea, China, Europe

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged allied defense leaders Tuesday to “dig deep" and provide more air defense systems for Ukraine, to help the country block increasing barrages of Russian missiles. “Air defense is saving lives,” Austin said as he opened the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein air base in Germany. “So I urge this group to continue to dig deep on ground-based air defense for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly pushed for the longer-distance weapons. The Ramstein meeting also marks Milley's final session as U.S. joint chiefs chairman.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Bill Blair, Austin, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, “, —, Mark Milley, Milley, Rob Bauer Organizations: RAMSTEIN AIR, —, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ramstein, enrage, The Army Tactical Missile, Abrams, U.S . Defense, Washington , D.C, Republican, Nations, ” Military, Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO Locations: Germany, Ukraine, U.S, enrage Moscow, Europe, Washington ,, Netherlands, Ramstein

United Nations CNN —Western support for Ukraine as it defends against Russia has globally significant consequences, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Tuesday, urging Kyiv’s backers to remain steadfast. “It is about making sure that Russia is not able legally to forcefully shift the borders in Europe,” Duda told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview from the United Nations headquarters in New York. There is no compromise solution, Duda also said – a position shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both leaders took the podium in New York on Tuesday morning, as the United Nations General Debate got underway. Only then will we be able to say that Russian imperialism was really defeated,” Duda told Tapper.

Persons: Andrzej Duda, ” Duda, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Duda, Volodymyr Zelensky, Tapper, Zelensky, – Organizations: United Nations CNN, Russia, United Nations, Ukrainian, Ukraine, NATO, Abrams Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe, New York, United States, ” Poland, Ukrainian, Lviv, Poland, Kyiv, Washington

“Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence,” Mr. Biden said as President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine watched from the audience. I respectfully suggest the answer is no.”“We have to stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow,” Mr. Biden continued. “Ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin’s promises.”Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Zelensky received strong applause from some of the delegations in the hall, but many others did not clap. On Tuesday evening, Mr. Biden and Jill Biden were to host a reception for other world leaders at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “This is clearly a genocide,” Mr. Zelensky said.

Persons: Biden, Mr, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Vladimir V, Moscow, ”, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin, “, Biden’s, Kevin McCarthy, we’ve, Lloyd J, Austin III, Ukraine’s, Xi Jinping, Jill Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Netanyahu, “ Slava Ukraini Organizations: appeasing Moscow, United Nations General Assembly, Republicans, United Nations, International Criminal Court, . Security, Mr, White, Pentagon, Capitol, Defense, General, appeasing, United, Soviet Union —, Turkmenistan —, Metropolitan Museum of Art, United Nations ’ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, Washington, New York, Russia’s, Germany, China, Beijing, Libya, “, United Nations, Soviet Union, Soviet Union — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, China’s, Brazil, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Moldova, Georgia, Syria, Belarus, Baltic

☆ Opinion: Ukraine is fighting Russia and making progress. Don’t give up on Kyiv.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Hilary Krieger | Opinion Sébastien Roblin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It’s true that the Ukrainian counteroffensive debuted with conspicuous setbacks and hasn’t advanced as much as hoped. Moreover, land seized by Russia earlier has been used to strike ever deeper into Ukraine, making restoring defensible borders an existential concern. But Kyiv got the ammunition needed to sustain the counteroffensive longer while awaiting expanded factory production of conventional shells in 2024. Putin miscalculated disastrously when he invaded in Ukraine, so he’s now hoping to outlast Western support for Ukraine to rescue what spoils he can. But failing to do so now could entail the US, Europe and Ukraine paying a much higher price later.

Persons: Sébastien Roblin, CNN —, Ukraine’s, Sebastien Roblin, wail, Vladimir Putin, hasn’t, Ukraine didn’t, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Biden, Bradley, Abrams, Putin miscalculated, he’s, Donald Trump, George McClellan, McClellan Organizations: Georgetown University, Peace Corps, CNN, Kremlin, GOP, Ukrainian, Engineers, British Royal United Services Institute, Defense, US, Lincoln Locations: China, Ukraine, Washington, Russia, Kherson, Ukrainian, Crimea, India, Robotyne, Verbove, Tokmak, Melitopol, NATO, British, Europe, Appomattox

☆ Ukraine is using its advanced Leopard tanks as a 'nocturnal predator' fighting mostly at night and at dawn, soldier says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukrainian troops praised the advanced Leopard 2A6 tank's night vision as an advantage over Russia. Another said the long-range night vision gives them a "close to a 100% success rate." You can watch the soldiers speak about the tank here:—Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 12, 2023The Leopard 2A6 tanks may be Ukraine's best tanks, Forbes noted. They are more advanced than older Leopard tank models also given to Ukraine by its allies. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Russian colonel-general previously called the tanks the best ones in Europe and said they have good night vision.

Persons: Forbes, Vladyslav, Yurii Organizations: Service, Leopard, 47th Mechanized Brigade, —, Leopards, Lada Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Europe, Ukrainian, Germany, Soviet, Russian, Robotyne

CNN —President Joe Biden is expected to make a final decision soon on sending long-range missiles to Ukraine for the first time, a major step recommended by the State and Defense departments after months of Ukrainian requests, people familiar with the discussions told CNN. Discussions about sending the long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, also known as ATACMS, picked up substantially in recent weeks, the sources said. Currently, the maximum range of US weapons committed to Ukraine is around 93 miles with the ground-launched small diameter bomb. ATACMS missiles are fired from HIMARS rocket launchers, the same type of vehicle that launches the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles that Ukraine already employs. “When we talk about long-range missiles for Ukraine, it is not just a whim, but a real need,” the head of Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak, said on Telegram on Monday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden, ” Zelensky, Antony Blinken, Lockheed Martin, Andriy Yermak, Abrams, “ I’m, Republican Sen, James Risch of, “, Putin, they’ve, ” Organizations: CNN, State and Defense, Tactical Missile Systems, State Department, Pentagon, Lockheed, Army, Ukrainian, Republican, Aspen Security Forum Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Crimea, France, James Risch of Idaho

☆ The powerful ATACMS missile Ukraine may soon get from the US has long range, accuracy, and a lot of firepower
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US is leaning towards sending Ukraine the ATACMS long-range missile, per a new report. ATACMS — a shortening of Army Tactical Missile System — has been one of Ukraine's most pressing requests, because its long range would open up Russian targets too distant to easily attack. The ATACMS is a long-range guided missile with a range of around 300 kilometers, or 190 miles, per its manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The "ATACMS' pinpoint accuracy helps minimize collateral damage," Jim Gribschaw, a director at Lockheed Martin said of the missile. US Army photoThe US had initially been reluctant to provide the missile system.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, Ryan Hageali, Jim Gribschaw, Ben Hodges, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Abrams Organizations: Service, ATACMS, ABC News, Tactical Missile, Lockheed, MGM, Tactical Missile System, US Marine Corps, TNT, US Army, National Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Australia, Northern Territory, US, Iraq

☆ Russian generals can just 'withdraw their tanks' if they're worried about Ukraine's new depleted-uranium ammo, US official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A US official said: "If Russia has an issue with that, they can withdraw their tanks from Ukraine." The official was responding to Russia's complaints over the US announcement that it would send Ukraine tank rounds with depleted uranium. "If Russia has an issue with that, they can withdraw their tanks from Ukraine," they added. The Biden administration announced plans on Wednesday to give Ukraine 120 mm ammunition made from depleted uranium, alongside other weaponry. The UK has already sent Ukraine some of the ammunition for use in UK-supplied Challenger tanks, angering Russia.

Persons: it's, Biden, Jake Epstein, Al, John Kirby Organizations: US, Service, Politico, Abrams, UN, Street Journal, Challenger, National Security Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Washington

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Moscow slams U.S. supply of depleted uranium weapons to Kyiv; drones target more Russian cities
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Russian officials slammed the U.S.' decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium weapons, with one describing the move as a "criminal act." The Pentagon announced $175 million in additional security assistance for Kyiv on Wednesday that included depleted uranium ammunition for U.S.-made Abrams tanks. Top Russian officials lambasted the move, with the Russian Embassy to the U.S. saying it was "an indicator of inhumanity." Depleted uranium munitions are used by a number of countries, including the U.S. and U.K. — as well as Russia — as it's known for its high density and ability to penetrate heavy armored vehicles, making it highly effective against tanks. Despite Russia's protestations, military experts agree that Russia possesses and uses depleted uranium ammunition too although it's not known for sure whether they have used the weapons in Ukraine.

Persons: Abrams, it's Organizations: Pentagon, Kyiv, U.S, Russian Embassy, — Locations: U.S, Ukraine, Russian, Russia

☆ Blinken, in Kyiv, Says U.S. Will Send $1 Billion More in Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Constant Méheut | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The aid will also include demining assistance to clear Russian land mines and prevent the remnants of war from causing further harm to civilians, Mr. Blinken said. It includes ammunition made with depleted uranium for Abrams tanks, which are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine this fall, Mr. Blinken said. Mr. Blinken traveled by train to Kyiv with Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, according to a State Department statement. He was replaced by Rustem Umerov, who has been the chairman of Ukraine’s State Property Fund. A senior State Department official told reporters traveling with Mr. Blinken that the effort was aimed at “putting global support on a long-term, sustainable path.

Persons: Antony J, Blinken, Biden, Dmytro Kuleba, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Mr, Zelensky, ”, “, Lynsey Addario, Mr, Mette Frederiksen, Blinken’s, Oleksii, Rustem Umerov, Umerov’s, Tyler Hicks, Putin, Vladimir V, Russia, Erin Mendell, Anushka Patil Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyiv, United, Pentagon, The New York Times, Ukraine’s, Department, Property Fund, 22nd Mechanized Brigade, State Department Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, U.S, United States, matériel, Kostyantynivka, Ukrainian, ”, Russia, “, Denmark, Ukraine’s, Bakhmut, Israel

☆ US to send controversial depleted-uranium munitions to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cezary Aszkielowicz/ Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSept 6 (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Wednesday announced a new security assistance package worth up to $175 million for Ukraine, including depleted uranium ammunition for Abrams tanks, the first time the U.S. is sending the controversial armor-piercing munitions to Kyiv. Reuters was first to report last week that the rounds, which could help destroy Russian tanks, would form part of a new military aid package for Ukraine, which Russian forces invaded in February 2022. Although Britain sent depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine earlier this year, this would be the first U.S. shipment of the ammunition and will likely stir controversy. Washington previously announced it would send cluster munitions to Ukraine, despite concerns over the dangers such weapons pose to civilians. The use of depleted uranium munitions has been fiercely debated, with opponents like the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons saying there are dangerous health risks from ingesting or inhaling depleted uranium dust, including cancers and birth defects.

Persons: Cezary, Wyborcza.pl, Antony Blinken's, Blinken, Washington, Costas Pitas, Mike Stone, Kanishka Singh, Ronald Popeski, Rami Ayyub, Eric Beech, Grant McCool Organizations: Abrams, REUTERS Acquire, Pentagon, Reuters, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, International Coalition, Thomson Locations: U.S, Szczecin, Poland, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, Ukrainian, Washington, United States

☆ US is sending Ukraine ammunition that can not only pierce Russian tank armor but also ignite inside
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The US officially announced Wednesday it will send Ukraine depleted-uranium tank ammunition. This powerful ammunition gives Kyiv the capability to not only punch holes in Russian armor, but also do additional damage inside enemy vehicles as the fragments potentially ignite. The Pentagon listed the 120 mm depleted-uranium tank ammunition as part of a $175 security assistance package that was officially revealed on Wednesday. The US is not the first NATO member to send Ukraine depleted-uranium ammunition. The latest US security assistance announcement, which includes the depleted-uranium tank rounds, comes ahead of what is expected to be an imminent delivery of 31 Abrams tanks.

Persons: Biden, Antony Blinken, Nicholas Perez, Thomas Spoehr, Vladimir Putin, Tylon Chapman, John Kirby, Blinken, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: US, Pentagon, Service, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Factory, US Air Force National Guard Explosive Ordnance, Technicians, Tooele Army Depot, US Air National Guard, Staff, US Army, 1st Armored Division, NATO, British, Challenger, Armed Forces, National Security, Oryx, British Challenger, Ukrainian Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Kyiv, Germany, UT, Washington, Grafenwoehr, Russia, Moscow, United States

☆ Blinken hails Kyiv's pushback against Russia in visit clouded by attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible," Zelenskiy said, describing it as a deliberate attack on a "peaceful city". U.S. officials have not publicly criticised Ukraine's military tactics, and last week said they had seen progress in the southeast. [1/6]Police officers and rescuers carry the body of a person killed by a Russian military strike in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, September 6, 2023. Blinken's visit coincided with Ukraine's parliament approving the appointment of Rust Umerov as defence minister following the dismissal of Oleksii Reznikov. During his train ride to Kyiv, Blinken held talks with Danish Prime Minister Mettle Fredericks, who was visiting the same day.

Persons: Blinken, Zelenskiy, Ivan Lyubysh, Antony Blinken, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Dmytro Kuleba, Kuleba, Abrams, Larine Jean, Pierre said, Dmitry Peso, Diana Khodak, Khodak, Rust, Oleksii Reznikov, Mettle Fredericks, Fredericks, Humeyra Pamuk, Tom Balmforth, Ron Popeski, Philippa Fletcher, Timothy Heritage, Angus MacSwan, Peter Graff, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Kirdey, U.S, Kyiv, Ukraine's Foreign, Ukrainian, White, Pentagon, Police, Press, Interior Ministry of, REUTERS Acquire, European Union, Reuters, Danish, State Department, Republican, Thomson Locations: Kyiv Ukraine, Kirdey KYIV, Ukraine, U.S, Kostiantynivka, Bakhmut, Russia, Russian, Donetsk region, Interior Ministry of Ukraine, Handout, Moscow, Washington, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Blinken's, Denmark, Netherlands

☆ Exclusive: US to send depleted-uranium munitions to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Although Britain sent depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine earlier this year, this would be the first U.S. shipment of the ammunition and will likely stir controversy. The use of depleted uranium munitions has been fiercely debated, with opponents like the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons saying there are dangerous health risks from ingesting or inhaling depleted uranium dust, including cancers and birth defects. While depleted uranium is radioactive, it is considerably less so than naturally occurring uranium, although particles can linger for a considerable time. The Wall Street Journal reported in mid-June the U.S. was considering sending depleted uranium rounds to Ukraine. Recent weapons aid packages for Ukraine have included artillery, air defense missiles and ground vehicles as Ukraine's counteroffensive grinds on.

Persons: Abrams, Kacper, Biden, Mike Stone, Jonathan Landay, Don Durfee, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S . 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Abrams, International Coalition, NATO, International Atomic Energy Agency, Street, Presidential, Authority, Thomson Locations: Drawsko, Pomorskie, Ukraine, U.S, United States, Yugoslavia, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Washington

☆ Huge purchases of tanks and helicopters suggest Poland is borrowing a battlefield idea from the US Army
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Among its purchases are US-made tanks and helicopters designed to work in tandem on the battlefield. Despite only being a member of NATO since 1999, Poland is spending much more than older alliance members. Poland has sent some of its older hardware to Ukraine, including Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighter jets and T-72 tanks and Polish-built Krab 155-mm self-propelled howitzers. WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesWhat is significant isn't just Poland's spending spree but also what it is buying. Poland is also spending $10 billion for 18 HIMARS launchers and reportedly plans to acquire up to 500 more launchers.

Persons: Mariusz Blaszczak, WOJTEK RADWANSKI, Radosław Sikorski, Artur Widak, Abrams, Vladimir Putin's, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, NATO, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Apaches, Polish Army, Getty, Abrams, US State Department, Joint, Army Tactical Missile, Financial Times, AHS, Nowa, Soviet, US Army, Apache, U.S . Army, Aviation, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Poland, Europe, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Germany, France, Soviet, Warsaw, AFP, South Korea, Russia, Polish, Forbes

☆ U.S. approves shipments of F-16s to Ukraine in major gain for Kiev
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Even so, Air Force Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. air forces in Europe and Africa, told reporters in Washington he did not expect the F-16s to be a game-changer for Ukraine. Ukrainian air forces supporting infantry are using decades-old Soviet-era planes, which are vulnerable to air-to-air missile attacks from Russian fighter jets, Capt. Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said Friday that the training of Ukrainian pilots is starting this month. A coalition of 11 Western countries — the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom — pledged in July to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s. In other developments:— Russian air defenses stopped drone attacks on central Moscow and on the country's ships in the Black Sea, officials said Friday, blaming the attempted strikes on Ukraine.

Persons: James Hecker, Yevgen, Rakita, Jake Sullivan, State Anthony Blinken, Jakob Ellemann, Jensen, —, Joe Biden's, Abrams, Joseph Schulte Organizations: Air Force, NATO, NATO Air Policing, United, Kyiv, 18th Army Aviation Brigade, Associated Press, State, Danish, Sukhoi Locations: Netherlands, United States, Denmark, Ukraine, Washington, Europe, Ukrainian, U.S, Africa, Russia, Russian, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, United, Moscow, Hong Kong, Istanbul

Search resuls for: "Abrams Tanks"

25 mentions found