Ukraine military news

Tanks for Ukraine Yesterday, Germany and the U.S. pledged to send tanks to Ukraine after weeks of diplomatic maneuvering. The pledges could unlock a wave of additional aid ahead of an expected escalation of fighting in the spring. It could take a year or more for 31 American M1 Abrams tanks to reach the battlefield. But the U.S. promise did clear the way for Germany to commit to sending 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks , which could arrive in several months. The decision by Germany to authorize other nations to transfer their own Leopards prompted officials in Finland, the Netherlands and Spain to say that they would seek to send tanks to Ukraine, or that they were open to doing so. Fighting: The announcements come at a critical juncture. Ukraine said yesterday that its forces had retreated from Soledar , a key town near the eastern city of Bakhmut. Diplomacy: Germany made clear that it would send the Leopards only if the U.S. sent the Abrams. Yesterday, … [Read more...] about Your Thursday Briefing: Tanks for Ukraine

The government of Russia dismissed the potential on Tuesday of a shipment of dozens of American tanks, promised by left-wing President Joe Biden, to change the momentum of its invasion of Ukraine, suggesting they would “burn just like all the others.” Top Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, following Biden’s announcement, that the plan to equip Ukraine with tanks in anticipation of the ground in the country thawing in spring was “disastrous.” “I am certain that many experts understand the absurdity of this idea. The plan is disastrous in terms of technology,” Peskov said during his daily press briefing, according to Reuters. “But above all, it overestimates the potential it will add to the Ukrainian army.” “These tanks burn just like all the others,” he concluded. On Thursday, Peskov affirmed that Russia interprets military arms support to Ukraine as America and European allies of Kyiv participating “directly” in the war, suggesting Russia already … [Read more...] about Russia Scoffs at Biden’s Ukraine Tank Giveaway

Germany’s decision to keep sending weapons to Ukraine has left the country’s own armoury “bare”, the country’s army chief has warned. Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, the chief of Germany’s army, has warned that government decisions to keep sending weapons and munitions abroad to Ukraine have left military stockpiles “bare”, a report on Wednesday has claimed. It comes as the country’s government finally agreed to give a number of its Leopard 2 main battle tanks to the Ukrainian military in the face of mounting political pressure both at home and abroad. However, according to a report by Bild , such a decision may yet have a negative effect on the country’s combat preparedness. Having previously warned that his force had been left with a more-or-less “bare” armoury, Mais warned that — despite the German government committing to pumping over $100 billion into the country’s military — things have not gotten much better. In fact, according to the publication, the army … [Read more...] about German Military Left with ‘Bare’ Armory As Weapons Sent to Ukraine

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. The move, which had been well-flagged ahead of time, comes as China ramps up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan to assert its sovereignty claims, including almost daily Chinese air force missions near the island over the past three years. Tsai, speaking after a national security council meeting of senior security officials, said Taiwan wanted peace but needed to be able to defend itself. “As long as Taiwan is strong enough, it will be the home of democracy and freedom all over the world, and it will not become a battlefield,” Tsai told a news conference announcing the decision, which she described as “incredibly difficult.” The current military system, including training reservists, is inefficient and … [Read more...] about Taiwan to extend military conscription to one year, citing threat from China

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 23 WASHINGTON (AP) — They are now among the most powerful women in Congress. But when they were first elected in the 1990s, they were often overlooked, or even talked down to. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, remembers that men would avoid asking her questions, addressing other men in the room instead. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., says a male colleague once challenged her at a hearing to describe a military tank engine produced in her district without looking at her notes. (She shot back: “Damn straight I can!”) Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, says that one of the first times she chaired a committee hearing, she looked around the room and realized she was the only female senator there. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., recalls being seated on the far edge of the committee dais, with … [Read more...] about 5 women, immense power: Can they keep US from fiscal brink?

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 6 TOKYO (AP) — A senior EU official said Friday that Russia has taken its war against Ukraine to a “a different stage” by making indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, while criticizing Moscow for triggering recent moves by Germany and the United States to send advanced tanks to Ukraine. Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European Union’s European External Action Service, defended German and U.S. provisions of the military equipment to Ukraine, and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for waging a war on NATO and the West. Sannino, speaking at a news conference in Tokyo as part of an Asia-Pacific tour, said Putin had “moved from a concept of special operation to a concept now of a war against NATO and the West.” He said German and U.S. tank provisions are meant to help Ukrainians defend themselves in the war, rather than making … [Read more...] about EU official: Russia shifts war focus to ‘NATO and the West’