A snapshot of recent news from sources around the world on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
NATO Flag at the Arches of the Cinquantenaire in Brussels for the Occasion of NATO Day. Image – NATO
As a direct result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland has now become the 31st member of NATO. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finland’s imminent accession, saying, “It will be a good day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security and for NATO as a whole.”
Ukraine is buying 100 eight-wheeled Rosomak armored modular vehicles from Poland. The vehicles will be paid for with security assistance funds from European countries and the U.S.
The U.S. is providing Ukraine with another $2.6 billion in security assistance as Kyiv prepares to mount a counteroffensive. The aid package includes a wide range of equipment, including missile defense systems, missiles, artillery and mortars, transport and fuel trucks, armored bridging systems, and communications gear.
Russia is developing an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), the Marker, for use in combat. The Marker can carry different weapon systems, including Kornet anti-armor missiles. The Marker UGV is to undergo its baptism of fire in the Donbas soon.
Ukrainian troops in the northern operational zone are equipped with the Avenger short-range air defense system. The system is equipped with the FIM-92 Stinger SAM and a .50-caliber machine gun. The United States announced in January 2023 an aid package for Ukraine worth $2.5 billion that included eight Avenger systems.
The Ukrainian military has received the ALTIUS-600M attack drone. Anduril Industries began manufacturing the ALTIUS-600 series after acquiring Area-1. Anduril also offers a larger loitering munition, called the ALTIUS-700M.
The Ukrainian military is using guns and rockets mounted on trucks to counter Russia’s growing use of attack drones. The U.S. is providing nine counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) using 30mm guns mounted on trucks and 10 mobile C-UAS laser-guided rocket systems.
Ukraine has launched several strikes on the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol in southern Ukraine. The city, captured by Russia early in the war, creates a land bridge for Russia to access Crimea. Melitopol could serve as an early target in a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Greece said it would provide assistance to Ukraine for “as long as it takes,” but the supply of equipment from Greece’s inventories will be limited so as not to compromise its own defense capabilities. Greece operates a range of Russian equipment that was supplied over the years.
Classified documents regarding American and NATO plans in Ukraine were leaked on social media. The documents don’t provide information on an anticipated counteroffensive, but they do discuss casualties and some equipment requirements.
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