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*** Official Russia vs. Ukraine Discussion - Invasion has begun *** (1 Viewer)

Zelenskyy: US decides to provide Ukraine with $20 billion​


The United States has decided to provide Ukraine with $20 billion in the form of a loan, which will be repaid using profits from Russian assets frozen in the West, according to an evening address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"There is an important update from the United States: America has decided to allocate $20 billion. These funds are secured by frozen Russian assets," Zelenskyy said.

He clarified that the $20 billion from the US is part of the G7's decision to provide Ukraine with $50 billion. This is essential for Ukraine's defense and resilience.

"It is important to implement this within this year. Thank you to the United States, thank you to the entire G7," the president added.

G7 loan

The political decision to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan from the G7 was made last summer. Since then, the G7 countries have been discussing how to implement this initiative.

Today, October 23, the European Council decided to provide Ukraine with up to €35 billion, which will be part of the $50 billion loan from the G7.

Funding for the loan is also expected to come from the UK, Japan, and Canada.
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JPMorgan's Dimon on Ukraine: 'We Can't Have a Bad Outcome'​



Warning... video link. I am not a fan of Dimon but I could never deny that he is a massive figure in the economic world and is well informed on eventualities. Interesting to hear him speak on this for a short time.
 

State approves $7.3B upgrade for Poland's aging F-16 fleet​

According to the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the U.S. Department of State has approved the modernization of 48 Polish F-16 fighters to the newer Viper variant. The upgrade could cost up to $7.3 billion, and the changes aim to boost the fighters' combat readiness, which is currently nearing the midpoint of their life cycle. However, the Military Equipment Agency spokesperson, Lt. Col. Grzegorz Polak, notes that the final configuration and its price have yet to be determined.

The proposed changes are intended to enhance the fighters' combat readiness. They are approaching the midpoint of a life cycle that spans approximately 40 years. The first four F-16s were delivered to Poland in November 2006, though acquiring the aircraft began several years earlier.

Polish F-16s in service for nearly 20 years​

In February 2001, the government under Jerzy Buzek adopted a program to equip the national Armed Forces with multi-role aircraft. Initially, it proposed acquiring 60 planes, but the demand was later reduced to 48 due to an offer from the German government. This offer involved transferring 23 used MiG-29 jets, which Germany was phasing out, for a symbolic euro.

In 2002, Poland launched a tender for the purchase of 48 multi-role fighter aircraft. At the time, Poland considered three options that met the Air Force's tactical and technical requirements: the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 52+, Dassault Mirage 2000-5, and SAAB/BAE System Gripen. Ultimately, the American offer was selected from this group.

The contract for the delivery of the F-16 fighters—comprising 36 single-seat F-16Cs and 12 two-seat training and combat F-16Ds—was signed in April 2003, valued at $3.532 billion. Dubbed the "deal of the century," the contract was met with some criticism, particularly concerning the offset agreement. Deliveries of the aircraft began in 2006 and were completed in 2008.

Need for adaptation to the modern battlefield​

The Polish F-16 fighters' service life is 8,000 hours, effectively translating to 40 years of operation. As the aircraft are approaching their midpoint, modernization has become necessary, a move that the U.S. Department of State has approved. Lt. Col. Grzegorz Polak, spokesman for the Military Equipment Agency, indicated that the final details of the modernization plan have not yet been solidified. Discussions about the Viper Package configuration and its pricing are still forthcoming.

The spokesman for the Military Equipment Agency emphasized that modernizing the avionics, electronic devices, and other electronic systems in the Polish F-16 fleet is essential to adapting to the modern battlefield and meeting today's operational demands. The comprehensive Viper Package covers spare parts, various equipment types, testing and measurement apparatus, and infrastructure development.
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Poland continues to bolster it's military. No other European country (excluding Ukraine and Russia) spends more than Poland as a percentage of their GDP which is nearly double most of NATO nations at a little over 4%.

This is absolutely a direct result of Russia's invasion and Polish determination not to be subjected to Russia once again. Their percentage of spending has nearly doubled since 2022.
 
Chadstroma said:

Submarine-hunting planes to patrol Atlantic in new NATO pact to counter Russia amid WW3 fears​


As Russia's threat over Europe escalates, a fresh defense pact between Britain and Germany aims to bolster security in the North Atlantic.

This agreement will enable German submarine-hunting patrols to operate from a base in Scotland, according to officials. The pact, which is being hailed as the first of its kind, will be signed by defense ministers from both countries in London on Wednesday.

Boris Pistorius, the German Defense Minister, stated, "The U.K. and Germany are moving closer together. With projects across the air, land, sea, and cyber domains, we will jointly increase our defense capabilities, thereby strengthening the European pillar within NATO."

He added, "It is particularly important to me that we cooperate even more closely to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and to close critical capability gaps, for instance in the field of long-range strike weapons."

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has significantly impacted global markets, food security, and energy, and continues to pose a threat to stability across Europe and the European Union.

Under this new agreement, German submarine hunter aircraft will "periodically" operate from a Scottish military base to patrol the North Atlantic. Both nations will collaborate closely to safeguard the crucial underwater cables in the North Sea, reports the Express US.

The UK and Germany have plans to cooperate in creating long-range strike weapons that can travel further than the UK's Storm Shadow missiles. Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer, is also anticipated to open a factory for producing artillery gun barrels using British steel.

As part of the agreement, British and German forces committed to NATO in Estonia and Lithuania are expected to work together more closely. Officials aim to ensure "land forces on NATO's eastern flank remain a strong deterrent and are ready to fight and win if required."

The two allies are also likely to develop new land-based and aerial drones together. British Defence Minister John Healey described the agreement as "a milestone moment".

He said, "It secures unprecedented levels of new cooperation with the German Armed Forces and industry, bringing benefits to our shared security and prosperity, protecting our shared values and boosting our defense industrial bases."
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As a former submariner myself, #### those Russian subs. Would love to be out there hunting them.
 
Mister CIA said:
Chadstroma said:

Submarine-hunting planes to patrol Atlantic in new NATO pact to counter Russia amid WW3 fears​


As Russia's threat over Europe escalates, a fresh defense pact between Britain and Germany aims to bolster security in the North Atlantic.

This agreement will enable German submarine-hunting patrols to operate from a base in Scotland, according to officials. The pact, which is being hailed as the first of its kind, will be signed by defense ministers from both countries in London on Wednesday.

Boris Pistorius, the German Defense Minister, stated, "The U.K. and Germany are moving closer together. With projects across the air, land, sea, and cyber domains, we will jointly increase our defense capabilities, thereby strengthening the European pillar within NATO."

He added, "It is particularly important to me that we cooperate even more closely to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and to close critical capability gaps, for instance in the field of long-range strike weapons."

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has significantly impacted global markets, food security, and energy, and continues to pose a threat to stability across Europe and the European Union.

Under this new agreement, German submarine hunter aircraft will "periodically" operate from a Scottish military base to patrol the North Atlantic. Both nations will collaborate closely to safeguard the crucial underwater cables in the North Sea, reports the Express US.

The UK and Germany have plans to cooperate in creating long-range strike weapons that can travel further than the UK's Storm Shadow missiles. Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer, is also anticipated to open a factory for producing artillery gun barrels using British steel.

As part of the agreement, British and German forces committed to NATO in Estonia and Lithuania are expected to work together more closely. Officials aim to ensure "land forces on NATO's eastern flank remain a strong deterrent and are ready to fight and win if required."

The two allies are also likely to develop new land-based and aerial drones together. British Defence Minister John Healey described the agreement as "a milestone moment".

He said, "It secures unprecedented levels of new cooperation with the German Armed Forces and industry, bringing benefits to our shared security and prosperity, protecting our shared values and boosting our defense industrial bases."
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As a former submariner myself, #### those Russian subs. Would love to be out there hunting them.
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I take it you served on an attack sub and not a boomer.
 

Ukraine set to receive advanced lynx fighting vehicles in 2024​



The CEO of Rheinmetall Corporation has confirmed that Ukraine will receive a batch of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles in 2024, with the potential for more units in subsequent years. We present the performance of one of the most advanced IFVs in the world.

In an interview with WELT AM SONNTAG, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger revealed that ten KF41 Lynx IFVs will be delivered to Ukraine later this year. He also highlighted that Ukraine needs this type of vehicle, which amounts to 3,000 units, and it's no surprise that the German giant aims to capture a part of that market.

In past discussions, Armin Papperger noted plans to build a factory in Ukraine capable of producing, among other things, the Lynx. Additionally, acquiring a larger number of IFVs would be possible with loans from G7 countries or interest from frozen Russian assets.

KF41 Lynx — Budget puma​

Rheinmetall Corporation developed the KF41 Lynx based on its experiences building the SPz Puma as a significantly cheaper alternative to the unique masterpiece for the Bundeswehr developed along with KMW Corporation.

Rheinmetall focused on similar premises but utilized available technical solutions to reduce costs. The first result of this work was publicly shown during the Eurosatory 2016 fair as the KF31 Lynx, capable of transporting six paratroopers. In 2018, the extended variant KF41 Lynx debuted, capable of carrying eight paratroopers in addition to a three-person crew.


This is a modular IFV with a strong focus on crew protection, reflected in its weight of 110,000 lbs with additional armor. The exact level of protection is unknown, but due to its weight, even greater than tanks in the T-72/90 family, it is likely very high.

It may be even higher than the new variants of the CV90. Even the side armor can withstand fire from 30 mm automatic cannons and PG-7VL grenades. Rheinmetall mentions only a reinforced top resistant to cumulative bomblets from cluster munitions. Additionally, the passive armor can be augmented by an active defense system that either disrupts the guidance of some missiles or physically destroys incoming objects.

Currently, the armament includes a manned Lance turret with a 30 mm or 35 mm automatic cannon, featuring an effective range of 2 miles, depending on the purchaser's preference, and a dual missile launcher for Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles with a range of 2.5 miles. These modern "fire-and-forget" missiles allow the Lynx to immediately hide after firing, something the M2A2 Bradley with TOW-2B cannot do.


It is worth noting that thanks to the Lynx platform's modularity, in addition to the IFV variant, there is also an anti-aircraft variant designed for low-cost countermeasures against drones and cruise missiles.
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Four Rheinmetall plants set to launch in Ukraine: What is known​


Rheinmetall to build four weapon manufacturing plants in Ukraine, with one already operational, according to Rheinmetall's director, Armin Papperger.

"We have many good plans. The first plant is already operational. The Ukrainian defense industry is our partner. Currently, we have a production facility and a maintenance facility. By the end of the year, we will have the first state-of-the-art Lynx infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine. At the moment, we are servicing infantry fighting vehicles as well as main battle tanks. So, this is a very productive joint venture," he stated.

Additionally, according to him, Rheinmetall is on track to build a powder factory and a munitions manufacturing plant in Ukraine.

"The third point is that we want to establish the production of air defense systems so that you can protect yourselves," Papperger noted.

The director also provided details regarding the readiness of these four plants.

"Things are progressing. The first plant is already ready. The second is on its way. And I am now insisting on accelerating all of this because we don't have time; we can't afford to lose it," he emphasized.

Rheinmetall's plant construction in Ukraine

Back in March 2024, it was reported that the German defense concern Rheinmetall plans to build at least four weapon manufacturing plants in Ukraine.

Specifically, Rheinmetall has received an order to construct a munitions manufacturing plant in Ukraine. Furthermore, Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC and Rheinmetall have opened the first workshop for the repair and production of armored vehicles in Ukraine.

In May, it was also revealed that Rheinmetall will establish a joint air defense manufacturing facility in Ukraine.
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Ukraine aims to develop relations with Egypt​


Ukraine and Egypt have been reliable partners for many years, with a large volume of trade and a lively political dialogue. Kyiv's goal is to continue developing relations with Egypt, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

On Saturday, October 26, during his visit to Egypt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha held bilateral talks in Cairo with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Egyptians Abroad Badr Abdel Aty.

The diplomat reminded that the history of Ukrainian-Egyptian bilateral relations had many examples of mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of energy, food security, agriculture, engineering, tourism, and education.

He also added that the countries have a common history of success in the aerospace sector: Ukraine once manufactured the first Egyptian satellite, EgyptSat-1.

“Against this backdrop, it is regrettable to state that after the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, our political dialogue has slowed down to some extent, and bilateral cooperation does not meet its real potential. Today we have a common understanding of the need to turn this page. Ukraine is open to developing cooperation,” the minister said.

The Foreign Minister also emphasized Ukraine's readiness to resume the work of the intergovernmental joint commission, intensify the activities of the business council, and launch negotiations on a preferential trade agreement. The Minister handed over to his Egyptian counterpart a proposal for a roadmap of priority steps to develop bilateral cooperation.

The Foreign Minister thanked the Egyptian side for the hospitality and invited Minister Badr Abdel Aty to pay an official visit to Ukraine.

Earlier, we wrote that the Egyptian authorities are looking for a cheap alternative to grain from Russia. Egypt is negotiating with the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to provide a loan to finance the purchase of wheat from Kazakhstan.
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Chadstroma said:
Mister CIA said:
Chadstroma said:

Submarine-hunting planes to patrol Atlantic in new NATO pact to counter Russia amid WW3 fears​


As Russia's threat over Europe escalates, a fresh defense pact between Britain and Germany aims to bolster security in the North Atlantic.

This agreement will enable German submarine-hunting patrols to operate from a base in Scotland, according to officials. The pact, which is being hailed as the first of its kind, will be signed by defense ministers from both countries in London on Wednesday.

Boris Pistorius, the German Defense Minister, stated, "The U.K. and Germany are moving closer together. With projects across the air, land, sea, and cyber domains, we will jointly increase our defense capabilities, thereby strengthening the European pillar within NATO."

He added, "It is particularly important to me that we cooperate even more closely to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and to close critical capability gaps, for instance in the field of long-range strike weapons."

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has significantly impacted global markets, food security, and energy, and continues to pose a threat to stability across Europe and the European Union.

Under this new agreement, German submarine hunter aircraft will "periodically" operate from a Scottish military base to patrol the North Atlantic. Both nations will collaborate closely to safeguard the crucial underwater cables in the North Sea, reports the Express US.

The UK and Germany have plans to cooperate in creating long-range strike weapons that can travel further than the UK's Storm Shadow missiles. Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer, is also anticipated to open a factory for producing artillery gun barrels using British steel.

As part of the agreement, British and German forces committed to NATO in Estonia and Lithuania are expected to work together more closely. Officials aim to ensure "land forces on NATO's eastern flank remain a strong deterrent and are ready to fight and win if required."

The two allies are also likely to develop new land-based and aerial drones together. British Defence Minister John Healey described the agreement as "a milestone moment".

He said, "It secures unprecedented levels of new cooperation with the German Armed Forces and industry, bringing benefits to our shared security and prosperity, protecting our shared values and boosting our defense industrial bases."
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As a former submariner myself, #### those Russian subs. Would love to be out there hunting them.
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I take it you served on an attack sub and not a boomer.
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Fast attack. USS San Juan SSN-751. It was a long time ago.

Could not stand those boomer guys back in the day. Really, I was jealous, with their 3-months out and 3 months in counting as sea duty. Sign me up!
 

North Korean deserters want to serve in Ukraine - Media​

Agroup of nearly 200 former North Korean soldiers aims to leverage their insider knowledge to exert psychological pressure on their former compatriots. To achieve this, they plan to travel to Ukraine, citing the South China Morning Post.

According to the report, each of these deserters has between seven and ten years of military service experience.

They intend to use their understanding of North Korea's army to disorganize and demoralize troops sent to fight in Ukraine by exploiting their psychological vulnerabilities.

It is currently known that all of the volunteers are residing in South Korea.

North Korean soldiers in Russia

The United States has already confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. According to the White House, North Korean soldiers arrived by ship and are undergoing training at military facilities. Ukrainian intelligence reports that around 12,000 North Korean troops may have been relocated to Russia, with some positioned in the Kursk region.

South Korea believes that North Korea has sent about 3,000 troops to Russia, with expectations that this number could rise to 10,000 by December.
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​


US won't impose new restrictions on Kyiv's use of American weapons if North Korea joins war​

The United States will not introduce new restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons if North Korean troops engage in combat, the Pentagon said on Oct. 28 following NATO's confirmation of North Korean troops' deployment to Kursk Oblast.

"A portion of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine, and we are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk Oblast near the border with Ukraine," said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, Reuters reported.

The U.S. said on Oct. 26 that North Korean troops are being dispatched to Kursk Oblast, a Russian border region facing a Ukrainian offensive.

Some 10,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to eastern Russia for training, up from an estimate of 3,000 troops on Oct. 23, according to the Pentagon.

U.S. President Joe Biden described the development as "a very dangerous."

Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said already on Oct. 24 that the first units had been deployed in Kursk Oblast. Yet, the Pentagon declined to confirm that North Korean forces were already in the area.

"It is likely that they are moving in that direction towards Kursk. But I don't have more details just yet," Singh said.

Previously, Ukraine's military intelligence said that Russia is preparing to deploy 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals. The first North Korean troops were to be deployed in the combat zone on Oct. 27 or 28, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian military has not yet fought with or captured North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk Oblast, said Vadym Mysnyk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Operational Tactical Group Siversk, on Oct. 28.

Russia and North Korea have initially dismissed the reports but recently turned to more evasive rhetoric as evidence of the troops' dispatch mounted.

Washington still prohibits Kyiv from using American-made long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia. At the same time, the U.S. is planning to provide Ukraine with an aid package of $700-800 million for the domestic production of long-range capabilities, Zelensky announced on Oct. 21.
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​

 

650,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in war against Ukraine, Zelensky says​

Russia has lost 650,000 troops, including killed and wounded, in the war against Ukraine, Zelensky said in an interview with Times of India, published on Oct. 28.

Over 690,000 Russian military personnel were put out of action since the beginning of its full-scale invasion in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, according to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Besides the wounded and killed, this figure also includes those who were captured.


Estonian intelligence estimated that Russia could lose up to 40,000 personnel in October.

"Russia itself has killed a lot of Russians. A lot of mobilized Russian soldiers were killed by the Russian army itself because they were afraid to attack, to perish under the bullets, or to be wounded. So, they retreated and then were killed by their army," Zelensky told Times of India.

"This is their law of war," Zelensky said.

Zelensky added that Russia also does not pick up its dead soldiers from the battlefield, leaving their bodies to rot on the ground.
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Croatia to send dozens tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine​


Croatia plans to transfer 30 M-84 tanks and 30 M-80 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. In exchange, the country will purchase 50 new Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany, according to the Croatian Ministry of Defense.

According to the report, today Croatian and German Defense Ministers Ivan Anusic and Boris Pistorius signed a Letter of Intent in Berlin.

In this document, the countries expressed their readiness to provide Ukraine with 30 M-84 tanks and 30 M-80 infantry fighting vehicles, including spare parts and ammunition from Croatian stockpiles, in exchange for compensation from Germany. This compensation will go toward the purchase of 50 Leopard 2A8 tanks, partially covering the cost of the new equipment.

Through this, Croatia will join the international program for joint procurement of the Leopard 2A8 tanks. In addition to Germany, the program already includes Czechia, Lithuania, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Croatia's support for Ukraine

On October 8, Ukraine and Croatia signed a bilateral agreement for long-term support and cooperation. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

The agreement, like other Ukrainian security pacts, will be in effect for 10 years. With this, Croatia reaffirms its commitment to supporting Ukraine until victory in the war.

In September, Croatia announced its 11th military aid package for Ukraine.

Previously, it was also reported that Croatia had planned to transfer 14 transport helicopters to Ukraine.
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‘Cross This Line, and We’ll Respond’: Putin Warns of Retaliation as Ukraine Pushes for Deeper Strikes with Western Missiles​


With the Ukraine war entering its third year, the escalating standoff between Russia and the West has reached a point reminiscent of the Cold War. Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the tension, cautioned that any Western support enabling Ukraine to launch deep strikes within Russia would provoke a severe Russian response. As Putin’s defense ministry prepares a range of countermeasures, he reiterated that Moscow is ready to defend its territory and will not tolerate what it perceives as Western encroachment on Russian borders.

Russia has been intensifying warnings over the past weeks, stating that the use of NATO-supplied long-range missiles to target Russian territory would cross a critical line, effectively drawing the U.S. and its allies deeper into direct conflict. Speaking on Russian state TV, Putin claimed that such action would amount to “direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States, and European nations in the Ukraine war,” as NATO personnel and infrastructure would likely be pivotal in guiding these strikes.

The Kremlin has not disclosed its exact course of action but indicated that the Russian defense ministry is rigorously assessing a spectrum of responses. Putin emphasized that Russia’s reaction would be proportional to the perceived threat, with his ministry poised to advise on various military options if Ukraine targets Russian soil.

As the front lines shift, Russia’s recent advances in eastern Ukraine reflect the highest pace of territorial gains since the invasion’s outset, further raising the stakes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has openly appealed for Western nations to permit Kyiv to launch counterstrikes deeper into Russian territory. Zelenskyy argues that this capacity is essential to shifting momentum and blunting Russian offensives, underscoring his belief that expanding Ukraine’s range is crucial to future peace and security.

As NATO and Western allies consider their next move, the potential for escalation looms larger. For now, Russia’s warnings underscore the precarious balance in a conflict that has already reshaped the global landscape. Both sides remain poised, with each new advance, strike, and counter-strike intensifying a confrontation that shows no signs of resolution.
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Sweden to allocate over $68 million in military aid to Ukraine​


Sweden will allocate 729 million Swedish krona (approximately $68 million) in military aid to Ukraine, Stockholm announced on Oct. 28.

The announcement came as the leaders of several Nordic countries convened in Iceland for the fourth Ukraine-Northern Europe Summit, during which President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with the prime ministers of Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.

Of the total $68 million, about $46.5 million will go towards initiatives supporting Ukraine's Armed Forces, the Swedish government said. Another $21.6 million will support the development of the Ukrainian defense industry.

The first portion of the funds may be directed towards a number of coalitions established to support Ukraine's military, including those dedicated to fighter jets, maritime security, mine clearance, and IT.

The remaining $21.6 million is allocated for defense industry development under the "Danish model,"a mechanism based on a Danish-Ukrainian agreement that donates arms to Kyiv via direct purchases from the Ukrainian defense industry.

Ukraine produced 18 Bohdana howitzers earlier this year via financing from the Danish model.

Sweden officially joined NATO in March 2024 after a lengthy application process triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Upon entering the alliance, Sweden was immediately vocal in its calls for other member states to do more to support Kyiv.

The Swedish government announced in May that it plans to allocate 75 billion Swedish krona ($7 billion) in military support to Ukraine from 2024 to 2026.

Sweden on Sept. 9 announced a package worth $443 million that included combat boats, anti-tank weapons, ammunition, and Gripen jet spare parts.

The Swedish Defense Ministry said at the time that transferring Gripen jets to Ukraine is currently "not a viable option, as it would interfere with the prioritized introduction of F-16 fighters," but that Stockholm is continuing its efforts to establish the conditions to send Gripen jets to Kyiv in the future.
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Chechnya hit by drone strike for first time, special forces university damaged, reports suggest​


Adrone attack targeted Russia's North Caucasus republic of Chechnya on Oct. 29 for the first time during Moscow's war against Ukraine, according to claims by dictator Ramzan Kadyrov and media reports.

The drone strike hit the building of the Russian Special Forces University named after Vladimir Putin in the city of Gudermes, the independent news outlet Agentstvo reported.

Footage shared on social media shows significant damage and a strong fire at the university's main building, Agentstvo noted.

Kadyrov claimed that the strike, which took place at 6:30 a.m. local time, hit the roof of the university's empty building, starting a fire but causing no casualties. The fire had been extinguished, the Chechen dictator said.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Ukraine has not yet commented on the reported attack.

While the Russian state media wrote that the university was built in 2016, the institution's management said that it was still under construction as of 2023. The facility was presented by Kadyrov as a multifunctional complex that combines modern methods and techniques of special forces.

Putin visited the university in August this year. According to a statement on the Kremlin's website, the Russian president "inspected the training complex, observed classes, spoke with special forces commanders, instructors, and volunteers undergoing training there."

Pro-Kremlin Chechen fighters ("Kadyrovites") have been fighting on Russia's side since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. In turn, anti-Russian Chechen volunteers have also joined the war on Ukraine's side, forming several formations like the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion.

A group of Russian National Guard service members reportedly came under fire from unknown attackers near the region's capital of Grozny on Oct. 24, leaving one soldier killed and another injured.
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Romania prepares law to down Russian drones​


The Romanian Ministry of Defense published a draft law that allows shooting down drones that illegally violate its airspace, based on the level of threat and risk to human life and property, reports Reuters.

The bill sets out the specific conditions under which Romania will control the use of its airspace by both manned and unmanned aircraft.

“At a European Union level efforts continue for a unitary approach to unmanned aerial vehicles as well as to establish measures to counter risks,” the bill says.

However, “Black Sea military operations, the massive increase of the use of UAVs, either military or adapted for military use continue to create major risks at the Ukraine border and near Romania's border area,” the Romanian Defense Ministry said.

The measures proposed for manned aircraft are gradual: from locating and identifying the aircraft to attempting contact, interception, and warning shots.

A manned aircraft flying without authorization could be destroyed only if it was launching an attack or responding aggressively to interception.

Unmanned aerial vehicles, most commonly drones, can be destroyed, neutralized, or taken under control depending on the level of threat. Destruction is a last resort.

According to the proposed law, allied systems present in Romania can also take part in any actions under collective defense treaties with NATO and EU member states.

Final parliamentary approval will come after the law is approved by the government.

Romania, which shares a 650-kilometer-long border with Ukraine, has repeatedly found fragments of Russian drones fall on its territory over the past year as Moscow keeps attacking Ukraine's port infrastructure.

Earlier this month, Romania's radar systems detected four separate signals, possibly from drones that violated its national airspace.
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Russian ‘Terminator’ Tank, Hailed as Superweapon, Falls to Ukrainian Forces​


Intended as Support Vehicle​

According to WP they did so by destroying nine armored vehicles, two tanks, a heavy BMPT Terminator tank support vehicle, and four motorcycles.

In addition, 25 Russian soldiers were killed, and 23 were wounded, according to a statement by the brigade.

The BMPT Terminator, designed by Russia’s Uralvagonzavod, has gained attention due to its intended role in supporting and protecting tanks on the battlefield.

Built on the T-72 and T-90 tank chassis, it is heavily armored and equipped with two 30 mm autocannons, grenade launchers, a machine gun, and four Ataka-T anti-tank missile launchers.

However, despite these features, the vehicle has faced criticism, with battlefield experiences in Ukraine exposing its vulnerabilities.

Hyped as a “superweapon”.​

Many Russian analysts and military experts have admitted that the Terminator’s performance has not lived up to its original hype as a “superweapon,” and it is seen as an expensive and often unreliable piece of equipment.

The Ukrainian forces’ success in targeting the Terminator underscores the limitations of Russia’s military equipment in modern conflict.

The vehicle’s sensors and armaments have proven susceptible to damage, with the BMPT often becoming inoperative after encounters with advanced weaponry.

Russian media initially promoted the Terminator as a pivotal asset to Russian forces, but reports from the frontlines in Ukraine have shifted this narrative, with more voices highlighting the challenges and underwhelming performance of this costly vehicle.
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Orange&Blue said:
Chadstroma said:

Russian economy overheating, but still powering the war against Ukraine​


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we've been waiting for Russian economic collapse for what...18 months?
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The Russian economy is borrowing from it's future. Sanctions have not done much and is not a reason for the future economic issues. What is, is a manpower shortage and massive spending in a war footing. The economy is overheating for sure as large numbers of working aged men have been sent to the front to replace those killed or wounded or have left the country to avoid such a fate. Really, the main thing keeping the Russian economy going is the fiscal policy of spending about 40% of it's budget on military and security including massive signing bonuses and higher than 'normal' pay for military service along with the massive compensation packages for deceased soldiers families. This is powered by Russia's massive natural resources that they have been still selling. Oil and gas accounts for 20% of Russian GDP and is 60% of it's exports.

If Saudi Arabia ended up opening it's "floodgates" in oil production to punish OPEC countries for producing too much.... it would absolutely implode the Russian economy. This was something brought up a couple of weeks ago as a possibility though I have not see anything since regarding that.

Regardless, even if the Russian economy does not collapse now, it is purchasing it's ability to continue economic activity now that will have a significant payment due later. As the article above notes, it is obvious now with it's inflation and it's central bank interest rates of 21% (similar to our Fed Funds rate that is currently at 4.75-5%) to attempt to fight inflation. This is not something it can continue doing forever and it will have a price to pay at some point.
 
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