Ukraine Requests Patriot Systems
A Kyiv power station is destroyed as Ukraine has run out of ammunition
It has been a long week, and there is little to report except that Russia continues to attack Ukraine, and the US is scheduled to vote on the long awaited $60 billion funding bill. The aid is 5 months late and many are concerned that Ukraine will lose more land and the war itself. The bill looks set to pass, but what excuses can the US give for the delay? It was a political battle and an abuse of power to coerce others to get what the Republicans wanted.
The war in the Middle East has taken precedence in the headlines as Iran launched missiles into Israel, with allies countries doing their best to convince Israel not to escalate matters. The UK were among the countries that intercepted Iranian drones to protect Israel, so why can’t they do the same for Ukraine. They say it’s because it is different but how? Israel has nuclear weapons and Ukraine gave theirs up, and the allies countries aren’t as afraid of Iran as they are of Russia. Other leaders (Lithuania) have criticised the west too for double standards, where they have failed to offer Ukraine the same assistance as they have done to Israel.
There isn’t much one can say when Ukraine’s mobilisation plan has failed and the change of the age of conscription by 2 years appears to have made little difference as most men of that age have either fled the country, or have already volunteered.
Ukraine has requested 7 Patriot Systems in order to defend itself, but really needs 25. The allies have managed to come up with 7, but at a cost with more lives lost and a major power station destroyed.
Troops are an issue for both Russia and Ukraine, with Russia seeking low paid immigrants to come to Russia under the guise of work and then to force them to fight in the army. As for Ukraine, I really don’t know how they can solve the issue of a lack of soldiers 2 years on and having lost thousands of soldiers already.
Day 777 (10 Apr)
The Swedish military stated that they intercepted Russian II-20 reconnaissance aircraft on 9 April, that was flying along the Swedish coastline. Provocation or testing the reaction of the latest member of NATO?
Ukraine is running out of ammunition and missiles and the entire world including Russia knows it. Pledges are one thing but the speed of delivery is slow, with the Czech ammunition still collecting funds for the purchase.
The Nordic and Baltic states are calling on NATO to play a more enhanced role in assisting Ukraine. These countries are the ones who have given their full support while others are still holding back in fear of escalation. NATO has a duty and responsibility to prevent war too, and they are dragging their feet right now.
The UK government and BAE Systems signed an agreement to support the Ukrainian defence industry.
Switzerland will host the Ukrainian Global Peace Summit 15-16 June 2024 at Burgenstock in Nidwalden. It is unlikely that Russia will attend.
The US has criticised the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries stating that it could affect the oil prices around the globe. Considering that Ukraine is trying to stop Russia taking over their country, the price of oil is of little significance when you are imprisoned by the Russians. The solution—give Ukraine all the weapons they need so they don’t need to target the oil refineries.
Stoltenberg for NATO states that Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries are justified targets.
The US government has handed over to Ukraine, arms that were seized from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp who were trying to transfer them to the Yemen Houtis.
Day 778 (11 Apr)
The Trypilska thermal power plant (TTPP), in Kyiv was destroyed by Russian missiles on April 11. Zelenskyy later stated that this was because Ukraine had run out of air defence missiles —there had been 11 missiles, 7 were intercepted and 4 destroyed the power plant.
There were 11 missiles flying. We destroyed the first 74 of them destroyed Trypilska. Why? Because there was zero missiles. We ran out of all the missiles that defended Trypilska. (Zelenskyy)
Zelenskyy attends the Three Seas summit (Black, Caspian and Adriatic) in Vilnius alongside other presidents —Czech Republic Petr Pavel, Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs,Romania Kluas Iohannis and Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, and the new Hungarian president, Tamas Sulyok. The latter was invited by Zelenskyy to join the Global Peace Summit and the G7 Vilnius Declaration of Support for Ukraine.
Fico from Slovakia has stated that Slovakia will not create obstacles for Ukraine to join the EU, stating that, ‘We want to help you and share our experience. We are rooting for you.’ However, he didn’t say the same for NATO membership and still refuses military aid.
Turkey has proposed a peace plan that seems highly impractical and very pro-Kremlin. One factor is that Ukraine remain non-aligned until 2040 and to freeze action on the front line. Then to hold a referendum in 2040 to vote on Ukrainian foreign policy and for an international agency to supervise the referendum. Why 2040 because the war will be either over or the rest of the world will have been involved by them?
Ukraine and Latvia have signed a 10 year bilateral security agreement, pledging annual assistance to Ukraine during their ascension to the EU and NATO. Latvia will pledge 0.25% of their GDP to be used to assist Ukraine every year
Day 779 (12 Apr)
The construction of a railway that links to other European countries. The Chop-Uzhhorod line will run from Uzhhorod, and will be 22km and will provide direct links to several European countries including, Budapest Bratislava, Prague, Vienna and Bucharest.
Ukraine has opened an embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo and on the Ivory Coast.
Ukrainian mobilisation laws have been passed that introduces compulsory military training for male students from 2025, but doesn’t address demobilisation or rotation of soldiers.
Day 780 (13 Apr)
Germany has responded to Ukraine’s request for additional Patriot Systems, and will also provide missiles for the existing air defence systems.
The US has accused China of supplying Russia with engines for cruise and ballistic missiles with calls for harsher sanctions from he EU.
Day 781 (14 Apr)
Poland Ukraine sign a decree establishing a council that will deal with Ukraine’s reconstruction and bilateral Ukrainian and Polish relations.
Day 782 (15 Apr)
The Dutch government is allocating €4.4 billion in aid to Ukraine to asset with military and humanitarian support. The Netherlands is also allocating €500 million to strengthen the countries own defences.
Day 783 (16 Apr)
Despite Fico’s pro-Kremlin stance, Slovaks have raised €1. 6 million for the Czech ammunition initiative (in 3 days) because the Slovakian government refused to offer any finaical aid. Under the crowdfunding campaign called ‘Ammunition for Ukraine’ it is an indicator that many do support Ukraine, so how did Fico get into power?
Zelenskyy makes another appeal to the allies stating that without US aid, Ukraine will lose the war and defending the Trypilska power plant had exhausted all supplies and due to that, the plant was destroyed. This is in response to allies assisting Israel directly by intercepting Iranian drones headed for Israel and the allies not doing the same for Ukraine.
The UN Security Council has said that Russia was responsible for the false flag incidents at the Zaporozhzhia power plant on 7-9 April 2024.
Day 784 (17 Apr)
Eight people die after a missile attack in the border city of Chernihiv. The Russians have been attacking the border towns and cities as they seek to occupy more land.
Mark Rutte, the Dutch PM has offered to buy Patriot Systems from reluctant countries for Ukraine as well as giving their Patriot Systems too.
The House of Representatives in the US has presented its bill for Ukrainian aid for $61 billion, with separate bills for Taiwan, Israel and national security. The vote will be held on the evening of 20 April 2024. Victoria Spartz, a Ukrainian born Republican Congresswoman is among those who have submitted amendments to reduce military aid to Ukraine, and has been dubbed a traitor to her country.
In occupied Crimea, the Dzhankoi airbase experienced several explosions.
Day 785 (18 Apr)
Denis Shmyhal, the Ukrainian PM has stated that if the US Congress fails to pass the $60 billion bill, then there will be WW III if Ukraine loses to Russia. That we already know, but it’s case of Shmyhal says, they needed the money yesterday. US Congress has said the vote on the bill will take place on the evening of 10 April 2024.
NATO has found 6 more Patriot Systems in addition to the one donated by Germany after Ukraine has begged for more after the destruction of a power station and openly stating that they it had happened because they had run out of air defence missiles. A Special European Council summit was held in Brussels to discuss the issue.
In Poland, a man (Pawel K) was arrested for plotting to assassinate Zelenskyy for the Russians, and had approached the FSB. He had monitored Rzeszow-Jasionka airport which is used as a hub for politicians to enter and leave Ukraine, as well as the airport where military aid for Ukraine arrives at.
The EU launches a task force to investigate Russian interference in European elections and in the EU itself, where is appears that Russian agents are primed to work for MEPs.
Denmark is the first donor of Zbroyari: Manufacturing Freedom’ initiative with $28.5 million being allocated to fund Ukrainian arms production, thus they are buying military aid for Ukraine from a Ukrainian manufacturer.
PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) has declared Putin’s presidency as illegitimate and has called members to cease contact with Putin except for humanitarian issues and peace talks.
Day 786 (19 Apr)
G7 heads of government meeting in Capri (18-19 April). Discussions on how to use frozen Russian continues, and perhaps to offer loans to Ukraine for equipment with the assets as collateral.
Germany is attempting to find more Patriot Systems even though there are 100 dormant ones in the EU according to reports.
Quantum Systems, a German drone factory has opened a factory in Ukraine.
The Polish farmers continue their blockades over imports, but Tusk has implored them to stop for the sake of the war. While not a fan of Tusk, it makes sense—Poland helps Ukraine with one hand and then attacks with the other.
Ukraine called for a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting to discuss the urgent need for air defence systems, on 17 April and the meeting was held on 19 April. Stoltenberg contradicted himself saying that member states have goals and quotas within the alliance to ensure military capabilities, but then said if it is choice of that or Ukraine, then a country should choose to help Ukraine.
If Allies must choose between meeting NATO targets and aiding Ukraine, send more to Ukraine. (Stoltenberg)