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☆ Eleven NATO countries pledge new military aid for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Andrius Sytas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] British NATO troops stand guard during a news conference of British Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, Baltic defence ministers and representatives from other NATO members in Tapa Army Base, Estonia, January 19, 2023. REUTERS/Ints KalninsTAPA MILITARY BASE, Estonia, Jan 19 (Reuters) - A group of 11 NATO countries, including Britain and Poland, pledged a raft of new military aid to support Ukraine's war with Russia on Thursday ahead of a crunch meeting on arms for Kyiv scheduled to take place in Germany on Friday. "The West must stay united and continue to support Ukraine with military aid," Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told a news conference in his home country, held jointly with his British counterpart and other officials. Gathering at a military base, the officials pledged missiles, stinger air defence systems, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, training, and other equipment and services. Britain, which has already announced plans to send tanks to Ukraine, will also send 600 Brimstone missiles, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said as he outlined details.

☆ Factbox: European states in Estonia pledge weapons for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Ints KalninsJan 19 (Reuters) - A group of 11 European states have pledged to deliver more arms to Ukraine in its war with Russia, saying they would send main battle tanks, heavy artillery, air defence, ammunition and infantry fighting vehicles. The 11 nations were Estonia, Britain, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain. Weapons donations and military support will continue in close cooperation with allies and in accordance with Ukrainian needs. Estonia will continue to provide both basic and specialist training to hundreds of Ukrainian Armed Forces members in 2023. Poland has already donated 42 infantry fighting vehicles along with training package for two mechanised battalions.

☆ What is the US getting in Ukraine for $100 billion?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Daniel L. Davis | Defense Priorities | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In December, President Joe Biden signed a bill with another $47 billion in aid for Ukraine. The question: does adding this Patriot battery represent a game-changer for Ukraine? A Patriot battery ordinarily operates as part of an integrated defense system which may include numerous US and NATO systems. As exposed in 2019 when the Saudi-operated Patriot system failed to stop a complex aerial attack from Iran, the system is not fool-proof even when operational. Air Force via APIncluding this most recent aid package, the US has spent over $100 billion on the war in Ukraine, which is $16 billion more than the entire Russian military budget for 2023.

☆ Biden says Bradley Fighting Vehicles are on the table for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] U.S. Bradley fighting vehicles that will be deployed in Latvia for NATO's Operation Atlantic Resolve wait for an unload in Garkalne, Latvia February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File PhotoHEBRON, Kentucky, Jan 4 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine was being considered to help the that country fight Russia's invasion. The United States has sent about $21.3 billion in security assistance to Kyiv as Europe's biggest land conflict since 1945 grinds on, killing tens of thousands. As the war progressed and Ukraine's needs changed, more complex weapons systems, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS)d, were shipped to Kiyv. Most recently, the United States pledged to send a Patriot missile system to repel Russian missile and drone attacks.

☆ List: All the weapons and ammunition provided to Ukraine by the US after Russia's invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Since February, the US has committed more than $19 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. The US has also provided over 104 million rounds of small arms ammunition. Loading Something is loading. On December 21, the Biden administration announced a further $1.85 billion in security assistance, including the first supply of Patriot Air Defense Systems, with tens of billions in additional military aid set to be provided in 2023. According to a fact sheet released by the State Department, the US had by early December provided Ukraine with the following weapons systems and ammunition:

☆ Taiwan to extend military conscription to one year, citing threat from China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan will extend compulsory military service to one year from four months starting in 2024 due to the rising threat the democratically governed island faces from its giant neighbor China, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday. Tsai, speaking after a national security council meeting of senior security officials, said Taiwan wanted peace but needed to be able to defend itself. “Taiwan wants to tell the world that between democracy and dictatorship, we firmly believe in democracy. China also staged war games near Taiwan in August following a visit to Taipei by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Reuters has reported that military training in Taiwan, particularly for conscripts and reservists, had deteriorated.

☆ Zelenskyy address to Congress about Ukraine-Russia war doesn't mean the U.S. has no limits
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Daniel R. Depetris | Daniel R. Depetris Is A Fellow At Defense Priorities | A Foreign Affairs Columnist For Newsweek. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Zelenskyy then received a rousing welcome on Capitol Hill before he made a prime-time address to a joint meeting of Congress. America has been Ukraine’s primary security benefactor since Russian President Vladimir Putin opted for a war of choice that is failing in all respects. The U.S., however, has other national security priorities beyond aiding a Ukrainian military victory, however morally satisfying it would be. Given these priorities, the Biden administration would prefer the war in Ukraine end in a diplomatic settlement to short-circuit a long, drawn out and even more catastrophically destructive war. Indeed, with Republicans taking control of the House next year, skepticism of U.S. aid for Ukraine is likely to intensify.

☆ Russian fighter jets are struggling in Ukraine, but Ukraine can't beat their missiles and radars, researchers say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Russian air force's lackluster performance in Ukraine has been scrutinized throughout the war. Despite its failings over Ukraine, Russia's air force still has advanced jets and missiles. Russian pilots have modified their operations in order to make the most of those advantages. But that doesn't mean that the Russian air force is stupid. Yuri Smityuk\TASS via Getty ImagesDespite initial fears that they would be smashed by Russian missiles and jets, Ukrainian air defenses have had a major impact.

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy asks European leaders for air defence, tanks, weapons
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Andrius Sytas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I ask you to increase the possibility of supplying air defence systems to our country, and to help speed up the relevant decisions to be taken by our partners," Zelenskiy said, addressing Sunak. "For our defence operations to be more successful we need armoured vehicles, primarily tanks," said Zelenskiy. "The sooner we restore our border control, the stronger your security will be," Zelenskiy said. "Ukrainian children in their letters to St Nicholas ask for air defence, for weapons, for victory," he said, referring to the name used for Santa Claus in Ukraine. Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Terje Solsvik, Stine Jacobsen and Tomasz JanowskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Dec 9 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday authorized fresh $275 million in military aid for Ukraine offering new capabilities to defeat drones and strengthen air defenses, according to a memo released by the White House. But details were scant on two systems, "counter air defense capability" and "Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment," which appear to be new capabilities for Ukraine. To counter these attacks, the United States has sent sophisticated anti-aircraft NASAMS systems to Ukraine which have been running for a few weeks. Washington previously announced that it was sending four Avenger short-range air defense systems that use Stinger missiles, made by Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N), and HAWK interceptor missiles. U.S. allies have also been sending air defense systems.

☆ U.S. to send Ukraine anti-drone, air defense aid worth $275 million
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Details of the anti-drone and air defense equipment included could not be determined. Details of the anti-drone and air defense equipment included could not be determined. Washington previously announced it was sending four Avenger short-range air defense systems that use Stinger missiles, made by Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N), and HAWK interceptor missiles. U.S. allies have also been sending air defense systems. U.S. allies have also been sending air defense systems.

☆ US leaders who want to send billions more in aid to Ukraine need to ask what kind of war they're willing to pay for
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Andrew C. Jarocki | Defense Priorities | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The final weeks of the current Congress will feature debate over another aid package for Ukraine. Before opening the checkbook again, lawmakers need to ask how they want this war to end and how more aid will bring it about. Before Washington opens the checkbook again, lawmakers need to subject aid proposals to a simple Petraeus Test. So far, the story of American support of Ukraine against Russia's terrible invasion attempt has been one of unhesitating generosity. At the very least, legislators must push advocates of more aid for Ukraine to explain exactly how America's national security would be enhanced.

☆ Russia firing unarmed missiles to deplete Ukraine air defense, says U.S. military official
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Russia is firing unarmed cruise missiles that were designed to carry nuclear warheads at targets in Ukraine to try to deplete Kyiv's stocks of air defenses, a senior U.S. military official said on Tuesday. The official, who declined to be named, was asked about a Nov. 26 assessment by Britain's military intelligence which said that Russia was "likely" removing nuclear warheads from cruise missiles and firing the unarmed munitions into Ukraine. Asked about the assertion, the U.S. military official told Pentagon reporters: "It's certainly something that they're trying to do to mitigate the effects of the air defense systems that the Ukrainians are employing." For that reason, the United States and other allies have focused on providing air defense supplies for Ukraine. The United States has already provided a range of air defense capabilities to Ukraine, including NASAMS air defense systems as well as more than 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems and counter-artillery and air surveillance radars.

☆ Ancient anti-aircraft guns are taking on a new mission amid Russia's war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Russia and Ukraine have both turned to older anti-aircraft guns to bolster their air defenses. During World War II, half of the Allied bombers shot down over Germany may have victims of "flak" — a shortened version of a German word for 1930s-era anti-aircraft guns. SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty ImagesRussia and Ukraine are both using Soviet-made S-60 anti-aircraft guns that date to the 1940s. Older anti-aircraft guns also offer a political advantage. Even as more sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons have been deployed, anti-aircraft guns have remained useful, albeit in more limited roles.

"They're really trying to overwhelm and exhaust Ukrainian air defense systems," Kahl told reporters during a trip to the Middle East. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Western military experts widely expected the Russian military to try to immediately destroy Ukraine's air force and air defenses. "I think one of the things that probably surprised the Russians the most is how resilient Ukraine's air defenses have been since the beginning of this conflict," Kahl said. "In large part, that's because of the ingenuity and cleverness of the Ukrainians themselves in keeping their air defense systems viable. Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin focused on air defense supplies for Ukraine at a virtual meeting he hosted from the Pentagon.

☆ The US may downgrade an advanced drone to ease its concerns about letting Ukraine have it, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US is considering modifying the powerful Gray Eagle drone for Ukraine, CNN reported. Two unnamed officials told CNN this week that the US was investigating how to change the components in the Gray Eagle, or MQ-1C drone. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the US had declined the request for the Gray Eagle. But both Ukrainian and US officials told CNN since then that discussions were continuing. "These are very expensive systems and there are concerns that they could be shot down," an unnamed official told CNN.

☆ Ukraine is scrambling to shoot down Russian missiles and drones. Here are the weapons other countries are sending in to help.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Here are some of the air-defense systems that countries are sending Ukraine to take on that threat. The US, Britain, and several other countries are sending Ukraine a variety of air-defense systems. Here are some that are being supplied to Ukraine:NASAMSThe National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System. Norwegian Ministry of DefenseParticularly significant is that rather than custom-designed surface-to-air missiles, NASAMS fires existing air-to-air missiles that are modified to be launched from the ground. Shan Yuqi/Xinhua via Getty ImagesUkraine has already received the first of four German IRIS-T short-range anti-aircraft missile systems.

☆ Russian fighter jets can't control the air over Ukraine, and Russia's attack helicopters are paying for it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The toll has been especially high for Russia's Ka-52, one of its newest attack helicopters. Because it's been the most active, the Ka-52 also appears to be taking the most losses of Russia's helicopters. The AlligatorA Russian Ka-52 helicopter at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021. A wrecked Russian Ka-52 helicopter at Hostomel Airport near Kyiv in July. Russia's helicopters have changed tactics in response to Ukraine's successful use of shoulder-fired missiles and other air-defense systems, but Russian forces still need close air support.

☆ Explainer: Blood, treasure and chaos: the cost of Russia's war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Guy Faulconbridge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Following are the main impacts of the war, now in its ninth month:* DEATHThe war has sown death on a level not seen in Europe since World War Two. Besides the military costs, the West has tried to punish Moscow by imposing severe sanctions - the biggest shock to Russia's economy since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Still the impact on Russia's economy is severe - and not yet fully clear. Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, international oil prices spiked to their highest levels since the records of 2008. In total, about 52 billion euros in military, financial and humanitarian aid had been pledged by Oct. 3 to Ukraine by countries around the world, according to The Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

☆ Russia paid Iran for its suicide drones by sending a plane full of $140 million in cash and captured Western weapons, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia paid for Iranian drones with 140 million Euros cash and captured Western weapons, per Sky News. The Western weapons could be reverse-engineered by Iran, Sky's source said. The Western weapons Iran reportedly received could be instrumental for Iran's own weapons development systems. But, the source told Sky, the captured Western weapons will now "probably be reverse-engineered and used in future wars." In mid-October a Russian defense official was caught on a hot mic saying it was an open secret that the Kremlin had indeed imported Russian drones.

☆ Italy open to supplying air defence systems to Ukraine -official
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People demonstrate against Russia's invasion of Ukraine during a rally in Rome, Italy, November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File PhotoROME, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The Italian government is readying a new arms package for Ukraine including air defence systems, a governing coalition official said on Tuesday. The Italian coalition official, who declined to be named, said Rome was ready to provide Ukraine with a variety of air-defence systems, including the medium-range Franco-Italian SAMP/T and Italian Aspide, as well as portable Stinger missiles. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto spoke by phone on Monday with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and pledged to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion for "as long as necessary", a statement said. On Monday, Kyiv said it had received its first delivery of NASAMS air defence systems from the United States.

More portable weapons, such as Stinger antiaircraft missiles, have historically posed a greater risk of ending up in the wrong hands, U.S. officials said. WASHINGTON—The Biden administration’s efforts to check on the billions of dollars of weapons sent to Ukraine, though limited in scope, haven’t found any evidence of large-scale malfeasance, U.S. officials say. For the past two months, a small team from the Department of Defense has been on the ground inside Ukraine conducting inspections. The group, based at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, has so far been able to check only a small amount of the more than $18 billion of arms provided to the Ukrainians, U.S. officials said.

☆ Ukraine shares video showing a lone paratrooper single-handedly blowing up a Russian tank
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Footage appears to show a Ukrainian paratrooper striking and destroying a Russian tank. Ukrainian forces have had success in destroying tanks with handheld weapons. The video was apparently taken in the east of Ukraine, where heavy fighting is taking place. Watch the video here:—Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) November 4, 2022According to the Ukraine Weapons Tracker Twitter, the incident occurred in east Ukraine, and the lone soldier destroyed the tank. The Ukrainian military said on Thursday that heavy fighting was taking place in the country's east as Russian forces were attacking in multiple locations.

Organizations: ЗСУ

☆ The US will pay to refurbish Soviet-era T-72 tanks for Ukraine, which will be the 'most technically advanced tanks on the battlefield'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The US and the Netherlands are paying for the Czech Republic to refurbish 90 Soviet-era T-72 tanks for Ukraine. The deputy Pentagon press secretary said they will be "the most technically advanced tanks on the battlefield." The Pentagon is paying for refurbishing 45 Soviet-era T-72 tanks, and the Netherlands is matching the commitment for the cost of a further 45. She said the refurbishment would add new optics, communications, and armor, and the tanks will become "the most technically advanced tanks on the battlefield." While other NATO countries have previously sent older T-72s to Ukraine, this is the first time the US is paying for the Czech Republic to upgrade the tanks, Singh said.

[1/2] A destroyed Russian T-72 tank is seen near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine October 26, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The United States on Friday announced an additional $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, including refurbishing T-72 tanks and missiles for HAWK air defense systems for Kyiv. Deputy Czech Defense Minister Tomas Kopecny told Reuters that in total 90 tanks from third parties and private stocks would be modernized. In October, Reuters first wrote about the initiative to furnish HAWK interceptor missiles to Ukraine. The Army replaced it with the MIM-104 Patriot, and the Marines shifted entirely to using smaller, more portable air defense systems.

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