Latvia is preparing to transfer a record number of drones to Ukraine
Category
Ukraine
Publication date

Latvia is preparing to transfer a record number of drones to Ukraine

drone
Source:  online.ua

The head of the Ministry of Defense of Latvia Andris Spruds announced the transfer of the largest number of drones from local manufacturing companies to Ukraine.

Points of attention

  • Latvia is preparing to transfer a record number of drones from local manufacturers to Ukraine, supporting military operations and strengthening the defense capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
  • The US is also preparing a new military aid package worth $125 million for Ukraine, which includes air defense missiles, ATGMs, ammunition, vehicles, and equipment for combating drones.
  • The significant support from Latvia and the USA underscores the commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity and defense, especially in light of the successful offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region.
  • The transfer of 1,400 drones from Latvian manufacturers marks a milestone in the procurement process that will contribute to the overall delivery of over 3,000 combat drones to Ukraine.
  • The military aid from various partners is crucial in enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities and highlights the collective efforts to support Ukraine in its struggle for territorial integrity and security.

What is known about Latvia's plans to transfer the largest number of drones to Ukraine

The largest batch from Latvian manufacturers – 1,400 drones – is ready to be sent to Ukraine. This completes the procurement by the Ministry of Defense of more than 2,700 drones of the Latvian industry for Ukraine, - noted Spruds.

He emphasized that, in general, Latvia has already handed over 3,000 combat drones of various types and characteristics to Ukraine.

Latvia plans to transfer a record number of drones to Ukraine
Drones in service with the Armed Forces

Together with Latvian companies, we will continue to provide support to the victory of Ukraine, - emphasized the head of the Ministry of Defense of Latvia.

What is known about military aid to Ukraine from other partners

According to Associated Press journalists, the United States is preparing a new package of military aid to Ukraine in the amount of 125 million dollars.

It is noted that the package will include air defense missiles, ammunition for HIMARS MLRS, Javelin anti-tank missiles and a number of other types of ATGMs.

In addition, the US plans to transfer to Ukraine equipment for combating drones and means of radio-electronic warfare, 155-mm and 105-mm artillery ammunition, vehicles and other equipment.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid had not been publicly announced. The official announcement may appear as early as Friday, on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day. The weapons are provided as part of the presidential authority to reduce armaments, which means that they are taken from the Pentagon's warehouses and can be delivered faster, the publication emphasizes.

It is noted that the allocation of a new package of military aid will take place against the background of the successful offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region.

Category
Ukraine
Publication date

Kursk operation. The Russian army uses "ridiculous" technology from World War II

The Russian army resorts to old methods of warfare
Source:  Forbes

Forbes columnist David Axe drew attention to the fact that Russian occupiers in the Kursk region began using a long-forgotten World War II technology to cross rivers.

Points of attention

  • Modified BTR-D amphibious vehicles used by the Russian army remain vulnerable to Ukrainian weapons.
  • Ukrainian troops are actively attacking bridges and spans in the Kursk region, blocking the enemy's advance.

The Russian army resorts to old methods of warfare

As the expert recalled, during World War II, some armies, including the British, attached metal spans to the upper part of tank chassis and used the resulting "funny bridges" to quickly cross gaps.

Despite the fact that 80 years have passed since then, the Russian army does not shy away from using “ridiculous” technologies to retake its own territories from the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

In the Kursk region of western Russia, Russian airborne troops deploy modified BTR-D amphibious vehicles in the same way: piling what looks like wooden flooring onto 13-ton tracked vehicles and rolling them into rivers. As they sink into muddy riverbeds, the vehicles’ makeshift surfaces act as bridges, says David Axe.

The analyst draws attention to the fact that the BTR-D are most active on the western edge of the Kursk salient.

What is important to understand is that in order for Russian soldiers to attack Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters in and around the village of Dar'ino, they must first cross the Snagost River.

What this technology looked like during World War II (Photo: Imperial War Museum photo)

Why the Russian Army's Technology Is Not Effective

As David Axe notes, in the Kursk region, the Ukrainian Defense Forces regularly attack civilian bridges and any conventional or pontoon spans built by Russian engineers.

In addition, the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not forget to fire on the bridge transporters specially built by the Russians.

Although the BTR-Ds are as vulnerable to Ukrainian mines, missiles, artillery and drones as any combat vehicle, they are fast and can reach road speeds of around 40 miles per hour, making them less vulnerable than permanent bridges or slow engineering vehicles, the analyst writes.

According to the latest data, since November, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have shot down at least two Russian BTR-Ds.

Category
Politics
Publication date

Germany proposes another scenario for ending Russia's war against Ukraine

Wagenknecht again criticizes aid to Ukraine
Source:  Tagesschau

Sarah Wagenknecht, leader of the German far-left party Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance, has begun cynically arguing that an immediate halt to arms supplies to Ukraine could stop the war.

Points of attention

  • Sarah Wagenknecht thinks she knows how to stop Russia.
  • The politician criticizes aid to Ukraine and opposes the introduction of German soldiers into its territory for a peaceful settlement.
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promises to send Ukraine additional aid of 3 billion euros through new borrowing.

Wagenknecht again criticizes aid to Ukraine

We should offer Russia an immediate halt to arms supplies if Russia agrees to a ceasefire on the current front line and the start of peace talks.

Sarah Wagenknecht

Sarah Wagenknecht

Leader of the German far-left party "Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance"

A German politician, often called “Putin’s girlfriend,” began cynically lying that the arms supply had not improved Ukraine’s position.

Sarah Wagenknecht is outraged by the fact that Vice Chancellor Robert Gabeke and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have called for a further €3 billion in aid.

In addition, she opposed the introduction of German soldiers into Ukraine to ensure a peaceful settlement.

Ukraine needs security guarantees, but they must be provided by neutral states.

According to her, we are talking about Brazil, China, India and Turkey.

Why Scholz is blocking aid to Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he rejects all accusations. He said he should take care of Germany, not just Ukraine.

The German leader added that he is ready to send Ukraine an additional 3 billion euros in aid, provided that the funds are obtained through "net new borrowing."

As Scholz noted, he will not support budget cuts for the sake of Ukraine.

This is the path that almost all the countries around us have taken. ... Some people think that we should finance this by cutting pensions, by cutting transfers to local governments, by investing less in roads and railways, by providing less support to the economy.

Olaf Scholz

Olaf Scholz

Chancellor of Germany

According to him, it is the Germans who will have to decide how to finance further support for Ukraine.

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