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In U.S.A. the consensus around that policy is fraying. Propelled by the State Department, there is now a vigorous debate inside the administration over relaxing the ban to allow the Ukrainians to hit missile and artillery launch sites just over the border in Russia targets Mr. Zelensky says have enabled Moscow’s recent territorial land gabbling.

F-16 jets will be provided to Ukraine as soon as possible. Our aim is to be able to provide first aircraft before the end of this year, 2024.


Belgium has agreed to send 30 US-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as long as they aren't flown within Russian territory.

"F-16 jets will be provided to Ukraine as soon as possible. Our aim is to be able to provide first aircraft before end of this year, 2024," Belgian PMi Alexander De Croo announced Tuesday while hosting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. "Everything which is covered by this agreement is very clear. It for utilization by Ukraine Defense Forces on Ukraine['s] territory."

Zelenskyy is vocal about Ukraine's need for improved air defenses against Russia & to rebuild its air force, which been battered by two years of war. 30 F-16s are set to be delivered over next four years as part of a promised $1 billion aid package from Belgium, boosting Ukraine's future fleet to an estimated 85 F-16s

https://www.businessinsider.com/belgium-...ion-2024-5

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In addition to defending Ukraine's airspace, F-16s customized with long-range missiles can improve Ukraine's strike capacity — a  step as Kyiv tries to halt Moscow's momentum on the battlefield.

"Our task is to use the first F-16 on the battlefield this year and in such way fortify our positions," Zelenskyy said.

The Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway have previously offered up dozens of F-16s to support Ukraine. The US Air Force is training Ukrainian pilots to fly them.

Ukraine could still strike into Russia from its own airspace with the F-16, but the usage restriction limits the plane from deeper attacks and prevents the sighting of a US-made plane overflying Russian land; the US has imposed similar caveats on other weapons

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Inside the White House, a Debate Over Letting Ukraine Shoot U.S. Weapons Into Russia

After a sobering trip to Kyiv, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is urging the president to lift restrictions on how Ukraine can use American arms.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/us/po...ussia.html

Ukraine could still strike into Russia from its own airspace with the F-16, but usage restriction will be limits to border area where plane from deeper attacks and only to  prevents the sighting of a US-made plane overflying Russian land; the US has imposed similar caveats on other weapons too.

As Ukraine awaits the gradual flow of military aid from US and other allies, to defence Ukraine & if attack by Russia's offensive, they will arrival to attack back out the the bouder.

Ukraine's air-defense deficiencies have allowed Russia to launch continuous barrages of deep strikes beyond Ukraine's lines. Experts from the Institute, the Study of War, a Washington, DC, think tank, have said Russia may have started its offensive too early & lacks adequate personnel on its front lines needed to "conduct a successful ops to envelop, encircle, or seize Kharkiv City."
Despite Russia's soldier shortage, Ukraine continues to struggle to make up for its own troop and resource deficits.

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A NATO country says it could join Ukraine's war with Russia if 2 conditions are met. His remarks about French soldiers defending Ukraine are among the most hawkish by a Western leader.

France Doubles Down on Weapons to Ukraine, Top Official Says Russia Leaves No Option but Arms Build-Up. Precision-guided AASM bombs will be rigged for Danish and Dutch F-16 fighter jets Ukraine expects in May or June. Paris also plans to send excellent howitzers and old Africa-capable vehicles

France is fully committed to throwing its military-industrial might behind Ukraine’s war effort, and Paris’ immediate priority is arming Kyiv with high-tech precision-guided bombs and advanced artillery pieces, French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a govt presentation to media called “Industrial Strengthening: Arms and Munitions,” Lecornu said his govt intends to overhaul France’s military production, increase capacity and output, & that the Ukrainian military will receive a healthy share of the weaponry.



French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu (left) and French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins stand in front of the memorial wall of soldiers who fell during the Russo-Ukrainian war in Kyiv during a Dec. 28 2022 visit to the Ukrainian capital. Photo AFP
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Russian aggression in Europe has forced France to take steps to re-arm and improve its ability to protect itself from conventional military threats, and committing the resources to arm Ukraine is a key piece of that strategy, the defense minister said during a meeting with reporters lasting almost two hours.

Lecornu told reporters France in 2024 intends to manufacture 600 AASM guided bombs and that production will double to 1,200 in 2025, and that deliveries to Ukraine should continue as planned.

One of the most sophisticated bomb guidance systems manufactured, AASM or Armement Air-Sol Modulair is a guidance kit fitted to a conventional bomb that uses flip-out wings, a laser-seeker, inertial guidance, GPS positioning, movable control fins and a small rocket engine to fly a munition to precise locations.

France Doubles Down on Weapons to Ukraine, Leaves No Option but Arms Build-Up Precision-guided AASM bombs will be rigged for Danish and Dutch F-16 fighter jets going to Ukraine.

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FRANCE WEAPONS for UKRAINE -  Macron Backs Ukraine's Right to Strike Russian Military Bases. His comments come amid heated debates on whether to permit Ukraine to strike inside Russia with Western-supplied long-range weapons. AASM guidance system could theoretically plant a powerful 250 kg. munition within one meter of an aiming point, at a range in excess of 70 km.

The weapon, sometimes called HAMMER, was purpose-designed for use by France’s front-line Rafale and Mirage 2000 tactical multi-role fighters. It has been in production since 2012. On Ukrainian battlefield, Russian bomb guidance kits currently used about half as capable as an AASM-fitted bomb, or its comparable to US counterpart, laser-guided JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bomb guidance kit.

Lecornu said discussions with Ukrainian military engineers are progress to adapt French AASM bomb kit to American F-16 fighter jets donated to Kyiv from Denmark & Netherlands. The first six F-16s, with trained Ukrainian pilots, reportedly will reach the Ukrainian Air Force by May or June. 

In March Ukrainian AirForce has used modified MiG-29 fighters to make AASM drops.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Jan. 16 first announced planned deliveries of 50 AASM bomb kits a month. The first publicly reported use of the weapon was on March 4, in the southern Kherson sector.

Production of France’s powerful SCALP cruise missile, a weapon used by Ukraine in multiple successful strikes against Russian warships, will be restarted, and in 2024, 40 of the missiles will be produced, Lecornu said.

France will up its artillery ammo manufacture to about 100,000 shells in 2024, Lecornu said, munitions 80,000 155mm rounds will got to Ukraine. Currently, French 155mm shell delivery to Ukraine is “reaching” 2,000 units a month, Some military analysts questioned whether French industry is capable of more quadrupling national shell production in nine months.

French govt will, if needed, use constitutional powers allowing the state to requisition industrial capacity, set arms manufacturer priorities, and mandate minimum stocks, to accelerate the production of shells & other military material for Ukraine, Lecornu said.

“We need things to go quicker, to change faster. This is important for Ukraine and the credibility of our military,” he said. “I have authority.”

Production of France’s advanced Caesar self-propelled howitzers for Ukraine is on track and a total 78 systems will be delivered to Kyiv by the end of 2024,  France, Denmark, and Ukraine are financing production at facilities owned by Nexter, the major French arms manufacturer.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/30172

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Russian MiG-35: How Fighter Jet Compares To Ukraine's Incoming F-16s (May 22, 2024)

While, Russia continues to deploy MiG-35, a modernized version of MiG-29. Experts have raised concerns about the MiG-35, designed for intense conflict zones, there are reports of currently, Russia is the only country that operates MiG-35, even though it had hoped for export orders. MiG-35, developed by Mikoyan, is evolution of MiG-29M/M2 & MiG-29K/KUB fighters first introduced in 2007 has been marketed as a 4++ generation jet, boasting advanced avionics, weapons systems, and reduced radar cross-section. MiG-35 is designed for both air superiority and multi-role missions.

MiG-35: Features a top speed of approximately Mach 2.25, range about 2,000 k/m without external fuel tanks, equipped with two Klimov RD-33MK engines, thrust & maneuverability, aircraft also boasts advanced fly-by-wire controls and a Zhuk-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhancing its target detection and tracking capabilities.

F-16: Fighting Falcon, produced by General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin), first took to skies in 1974. it undergone numerous upgrades, latest versions incorporating advanced avionics, radar, & weapons systems. F-16 is renowned for its versatility, having been used by more than 25 countries for a wide range of combat roles.

F-16 has a top speed of around Mach 2 and a combat radius of approximately 550 kilometers. Its single Pratt & Whitney F100 or General Electric F110 engine offers reliable performance & agility. F-16's AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar provides superior situational awareness and target tracking. a sophisticated avionics package, including a HMDS, a modernized glass cockpit, & advanced data link capabilities. Its AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar significantly improves its detection tracking range, a formidable opponent in both air-to-air & air-to-ground engagements.

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-mig-35-f...on-1903434

I thinking this one is ok!, a better MiG-35: (But I don't like Russia plane) 

Features top speed of approximately Mach 2.25, range about 2,000 k/m (without external fuel tanks), equipped with two Klimov RD-33MK engines, thrust & maneuverability, aircraft also boasts advanced fly-by-wire controls, a Zhuk-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhancing its target detection tracking capabilities.


F-16: Fighting Falcon, produced by General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin), first took to skies in 1974. it undergone numerous upgrades, latest versions incorporating advanced avionics, radar, & weapons systems. F-16 is renowned for its versatility, having been used by more than 25 countries 

(good but) for wide range combat roles. F-16 has a top speed of around Mach 2 (oni) and a combat radius approximately 550 kilometers. ONLY.

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France is fully committed to throwing its military-industrial might behind Ukraine’s war effort, and Paris’ immediate priority is arming Kyiv with high-tech precision-guided bombs and advanced artillery pieces, French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a government presentation to media called “Industrial Strengthening: Arms and Munitions,” Lecornu said his government intends to overhaul France’s military production and increase capacity and output, and that the Ukrainian military will receive a healthy share of the weaponry.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/30172

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PUBLIC OPINION: Do you support deploying European troops to Ukraine?. French President Macron's statement that under certain conditions French troops could be sent to Ukraine has sparked controversy. Do you support the idea of European troops being deployed to Ukraine?

French President Emmanuel Macron drew a line in the sand, refusing to say that he would never send French troops to Ukraine, as Russia continues its full-scale invasion. Some say Macron went too far. Others applauded the French leader.

Kyiv Post asked people on the streets of Paris and London whether or not they supported sending European troops to defend Ukraine. Most of the people Kyiv Post spoke to were not quite ready to commit European troops to Ukraine under the current circumstances. Some said that it should've already been done.
https://www.kyivpost.com/videos/30062

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Biden quietly allowed Ukraine to strike Russia with US arms but 'solely near Kharkiv,' media report.

Biden quietly allowed Ukraine to strike Russia with US arms but 'solely near Kharkiv. May 30, 2024.

U.S. President Joe Biden's admin secretly lifted ban for Ukraine to strike Russian territory with American weapons, but "solely near the area of Kharkiv," Politico reported on May 30, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

The U.S. and German officials have repeatedly said that they do not support or encourage Kyiv's strikes with their weapons on Russian soil, reportedly due to fears this would lead to an escalation of the war.

"The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S. weapons for counter-fire purposes in Kharkiv, so Ukraine can hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them," an unnamed American official told Politico.

The source added that Washington's policy of allowing long-range strikes "has not changed," and Ukraine cannot use U.S. weapons to hit military targets deep inside Russia.

https://kyivindependent.com/politico-bid...r-kharkiv/

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Ukraine’s ATACMS Rockets Are Severing Russian Supply Lines Into Crimea. But The Last Line Is The Toughest.

It’s extremely difficult to interdict a railroad.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/20...-toughest/

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Ukraine’s ATACMS Rockets Are Severing Russian Supply Lines Into Crimea. But the last Line is mot the last, Is The Toughest....As Moscow Restoring Inactive Airfields in Crimea, the new missile strikes, partisans report, due to systematic & successful Ukrainian strikes on Crimean peninsula, Russian army is repairing inactive airfields & transferring its aviation there. 

June 1, 2024. Atesh movement partisan says, the Russian forces on Crimean peninsula are moving Kremlin aircraft to inactive airfields, fearing future strikes by Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU).

A Russia’s 27th Aviation Division reopen the Zavodskoye airport in Simferopol repairs is underway on runways, taxiways, & building structures. Additionally, Russians are transferring military equipment & personnel to the airfield. In
response to success of AFU attacks on peninsula, the Russians are feverishly working to reopen abandoned airfields at Kirovskoye (near Feodosia) & Bagerovo (near Kerch),

Kyiv sources in Ukrainian Special Service (SBU) reported, on night of May 29-30, “Russians lost one Nebo-SVU long-range radar detection system worth about $100 million,” which monitored a 380 kilometer of the front hit by drones developed by SBU military counterintelligence. Radar system near Armyansk lost it ensuring to protect their front targets in Crimea. Additionally, ATACMS targeted ferry crossing in Crimea, which Kremlin forces were using as a logistics facility. reported by Atesh partisans fighters join to do a good deed together!”

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Last month, Russia launched an offensive on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, opening up a new front to the war. Ukrainian officials said, however, that fighting in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine blazed on or intensified following the start of cross-border attacks on Kharkiv.

Ukrainians finally got green light to proceed for U.S. Hours Later on Friday. U.S. supplies HIMARS Opened Fire, targeted Belgorod, attacks on base for Russian targeted Belgorod, a base for Russian attacks in northern Ukraine.

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Last month, Russia launched an offensive on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, opening up a new front to the war. Ukrainian officials said, however, that fighting in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine blazed on or intensified following the start of cross-border attacks on Kharkiv.

Ukrainians finally got green light to proceed from U.S. Hours Later on Friday. U.S. supplies HIMARS Opened Fire, targeted Belgorod, attacks on base for Russian targeted Belgorod, a base for Russian attacks in northern Ukraine.

Zelenskiy arrives in Singapore for Shangri-La Dialogue.  SINGAPORE, June 1(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy arrived in Singapore for Shangri-La Dialogue conference on Saturday, where he planned to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin & discuss support for his country in an address to delegates.

After arriving at conference venue in a motorcade amid heavy security, Zelenskiy said in a statement on social media platform X that he had come to gather support from Asia-Pacific region for peace summit planned for June 15-16 in Switzerland.

"Global security is impossible when world's largest country disregards recognised borders, international law, & U.N. Charter, resorts to hunger, darkness, nuclear blackmail," the statement said, referring to Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Statement said Zelenskiy planned to hold several meetings, including with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam & PM Lawrence Wong, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, Austin, and Singaporean investors.

A U.S. official said Zelenskiy and Ukrainian Defence Minster Rustem Umerov would meet Austin "to discuss the current battlefield situation in Ukraine & to underscore U.S. commitment to ensuring Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression".

The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), which organises security conference, said Zelenskiy would participate in a discussion session on Sunday entitled "Re-Imagining Solutions for Global Peace and Regional Stability".

Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Russia is trying to disrupt the Switzerland peace summit, which he hopes will generate support for the withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's 1991 borders.

Reuters first reported his planned trip to Singapore on Friday. Its Zelenskiy's 2nd trip to Asia, In May 2023, he attended G7 meetings in Japan. As Ruzz
begun assaults against Ukrainian lines & stepped up missile attacks in recent weeks as troops have made gains in Ukraine's east & south, as Kyiv's allies accelerate shipments of munition & other arms. The Russia has not attended the Shangri-La Dialogue since the invasion.

US approved $61 billion aid to Ukraine, such as Patriot missiles & ATACMS precision ballistic missiles - already arrived. On U.S. President Joe Biden informed Ukraine it can use U.S. weapons to strike targets across the border into Russia that were being used to attack areas around Kharkiv, a city in Ukraine's northeast. Russian Putin has warned NATO members allowing Ukraine to fire their weapons into Russia & once again raised the risk of nuclear war.

Austin, spoke earlier on Saturday @Shangri-La Dialogue, his remarks support for Ukrainian forces pushing back against Russia's invasion for more than two years showed that countries around the world could rally in the face of aggression.

Shangri-La conference, held annually in Singapore by International Institute of Strategic Studies for last 21 years,. Coming soon: Latest news & expert analysis state of the global news with Reuters. Thomson Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/zelenskiy-...024-06-01/

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We have no Plan B if Ukraine falls, says Estonia
Estonian forces have been working closely with Nato since Russian invasion 2years ago. Estonia considers front-line state, a Nato member where its border guards stare across Narva River at the Russian fortress of Ivangorod, tiny Baltic state, once a part of Soviet Union, is convinced that once the fighting stops in Ukraine, Putin will turn his attention to Baltics, looking to bring countries like Estonia back under Moscow’s control.

To help stave off possibility, Estonia’s govt has poured money,weapons into Ukraine’s war effort, donating more than 1% of its GDP to Kyiv. If every Nato country did this," Estonia’s steely PM Kaja Kallas, "Ukraine would win." But Ukraine isn’t winning. Short of artillery, ammunition, air defences & most of all, troops, Ukraine is struggling to hold back the sheer weight of Russian firepower, glide bombs and massed infantry assaults that often border on the suicidal.

What, I asked PM Kallas, is Estonia’s Plan B if Ukraine loses this war & Russia’s invasion ultimately succeeds?. We have no Plan B for a Russian victory," she replies, "b'cos we would stop focussing on Plan A" - helping Ukraine push back the Russian invasion. "We should not give in to pessimism. Victory in Ukraine is not just about territory. If Ukraine joins Nato, even without some territory, then that’s a victory because it will be placed under the Nato umbrella."

Kaja Kallas is controversial. She is not 1st national leader to be more popular outside their country than within. Born a Soviet citizen, her mother & grandmother were forcibly deported to Siberia.
Now 46 & PM since 2021, she is one of the most hawkish leaders in Nato when it comes to blunting Kremlin’s ambitions in Euro. That has spooked some in White House that she risks dragging the West into direct conflict with Moscow.
Existential threat from Russia

Many Estonians are also less happy at taxes being raised to pay for their contribution to Ukraine’s defence. But Kaja Kallas wants the West to wake up to what she sees as an existential threat from a newly aggressive Russia.

"Russia wants to sow fear in our societies," sitting in cabinet office in Estonia’s. "We see different hybrid attacks in many parts of EU.""Hybrid attacks", known as "sub-threshhold" or "grey zone" warfare, hostile suspected of being carried out by an adversary such as Russia federation where shots are necessarily fired or killed & blame is often hard to pin - yet damage can be extensive. Such threats report, "aim to create psychological & emotional tension targeting the most vulnerable threatening safety of children.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c722zxj0kyro

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Zelenskiy arrives in Singapore for Shangri-La Dialogue.  SINGAPORE, June 1(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy arrived in Singapore for Shangri-La Dialogue conference on Saturday, where he planned to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin & discuss support for his country in an address to delegates.

After arriving at conference venue in a motorcade amid heavy security, Zelenskiy said in a statement on social media platform X that he had come to gather support from Asia-Pacific region for peace summit planned for June 15-16 in Switzerland.

"Global security is impossible when world's largest country disregards recognised borders, international law, & U.N. Charter, resorts to hunger, darkness, nuclear blackmail," the statement said, referring to Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Statement said Zelenskiy planned to hold several meetings, including with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam & PM Lawrence Wong, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, Austin, and Singaporean investors.

A U.S. official said Zelenskiy and Ukrainian Defence Minster Rustem Umerov would meet Austin "to discuss the current battlefield situation in Ukraine & to underscore U.S. commitment to ensuring Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression".

The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), which organises security conference, said Zelenskiy would participate in a discussion session on Sunday entitled "Re-Imagining Solutions for Global Peace and Regional Stability".

Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Russia is trying to disrupt the Switzerland peace summit, which he hopes will generate support for the withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's 1991 borders.

Reuters first reported his planned trip to Singapore on Friday. Its Zelenskiy's 2nd trip to Asia, In May 2023, he attended G7 meetings in Japan. As Ruzz
begun assaults against Ukrainian lines & stepped up missile attacks in recent weeks as troops have made gains in Ukraine's east & south, as Kyiv's allies accelerate shipments of munition & other arms. The Russia has not attended the Shangri-La Dialogue since the invasion.

US approved $61 billion aid to Ukraine, such as Patriot missiles & ATACMS precision ballistic missiles - already arrived. On U.S. President Joe Biden informed Ukraine it can use U.S. weapons to strike targets across the border into Russia that were being used to attack areas around Kharkiv, a city in Ukraine's northeast. Russian Putin has warned NATO members allowing Ukraine to fire their weapons into Russia & once again raised the risk of nuclear war.

Austin, spoke earlier on Saturday @Shangri-La Dialogue, his remarks support for Ukrainian forces pushing back against Russia's invasion for more than two years showed that countries around the world could rally in the face of aggression.

Shangri-La conference, held annually in Singapore by International Institute of Strategic Studies for last 21 years,. Coming soon: Latest news & expert analysis state of the global news with Reuters. Thomson Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/zelenskiy-...024-06-01/

Zelenskiy dominates Asia security conference as China, Taiwan trade barbs. SINGAPORE, June 2 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's unscheduled appearance at Asia's biggest security conference dominated proceedings on Sunday after China's defence chief slammed "separatists" in Taiwan, drawing a sharp response from the govt in Taipei.


Dressed in his trademark olive green T-shirt, Zelenskiy addressed the last day of the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore, asking for support and participation at a summit in Switzerland later this month aimed at bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation.

"We are convinced that our world wants to be united and be capable of acting in complete harmony," he said to a ballroom packed full of delegates in formal business wear and military uniforms.

Reuters was first to report that Zelenskiy would make an unscripted appearance at the conference, his second visit to Asia since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Zelenskiy told a news conference that he was not able to meet the Chinese delegation at the conference and was disappointed that Beijing would not attend the summit.

"China, unfortunately... is working for countries not to come to the peace summit," he said.

Earlier, China's defence chief, Dong Jun, warned that prospects of a peaceful "reunification" of Taiwan were being eroded, and promised to ensure the island would never gain independence.
China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the strong objections of the govt in Taipei, and last month staged war games around the island in anger at the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing calls a "separatist".

"Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that show their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," Dong said.

Singapore, June 2, 2024. Ukrainian Presidential 
He added that although China was committed to peaceful reunification with Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army "will remain a strong force for upholding national reunification".

Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said in response that it deeply regretted the "provocative and irrational" comments, and reiterated that the People's Republic of China has never ruled the island.

China has repeatedly threatened force against Taiwan at international venues, and its threats violate the United Nations charter, the council said in a statement.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Dong's speech covered little new ground.

“Every year for three years, a new Chinese defence minister has come to Shangri-La," the official said. "And every year, they’ve given a speech at complete odds with the reality of the PLA’s coercive activity across the region. This year was no different.”

Dong's speech came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told delegates the Indo-Pacific region remained a key focus for the United States, even as it grappled with security assistance for Ukraine and the war in Gaza.

"Let me be clear: The US can be secure only if Asia is secure," Austin said. "That's why the United States has long maintained our presence in this region."

Dong and Austin met for more than an hour on Friday on the sidelines of the conference, their first face-to-face meet.

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Continue above....story. and news

China's foreign ministry had said that the conference "should have the recognition of Russia & Ukraine" and equal participation. "Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace," spokeswoman said Friday.

Mr Zelensky also said China's leader Xi Jinping had earlier promised him they would “stand aside in this war and would not support Russia with weapons”.

But, he added, there are now “elements that are part of Russia’s weaponry” that come from China, according to various intelligence agencies. He called for China to maintain a “consistent” position.

The US has said that China is helping Russia make more munitions, armoured vehicles and missiles. It estimates about 70% of the machine tools and 90% of the microelectronics Russia imports come from China.

Earlier on Sunday, Chinese defence minister Dong Jun said they do not supply weapons to either party in this war on Ukraine. This is a conflict.

He also said they have put "strict controls" on the exports of dual-use technology, which are items that can be used for civilian and military purposes.

"We have never done anything to fan the flames. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue," he said in his speech.

How is China supporting Russia after it was sanctioned for bullying Ukraine?

Mr Zelensky said he did not meet Mr Dong at the dialogue, but he did meet Mr Austin. The two discussed US’ President Joe decision to let Ukraine use American, U.S. weapons on Russian territory, according to Mr Zelensky. He thank U.S. president for the US61 billion help to Ukraine. Big Grin

But, but...That decision comes with certain restrictions.

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An article appeared last week in the Foreign Affairs journal entitled “A Theory of Victory for Ukraine” which immediately sparked broad interest and comment across the globe.

The authors, Ukraine's former Minister of Defense, Andriy Zagorodnyuk, and Eliot A. Cohen, a well-known American diplomat and political scientist, rightly point out that until recently the US and the West as a whole refrained from using the term “victory” and generally avoided describing its goal in Ukraine as a Russian defeat, at least in public.

Washington has contented itself with the largely meaningless statement that it will support Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” but the authors suggest that now “The West must explicitly state that its goal is a decisive Ukrainian victory and Russian defeat.”

The authors are completely justified in chastising the West and their demand, especially concerning the US, is quite appropriate.  However, to be fair, a growing number in the West are not only explicitly calling for the defeat of Russia once and for all but are also actively working to establish a “coalition of the willing” that would make that goal a reality.

I am referring first and foremost to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, rendered Putin's continuing nuclear saber-rattling completely ineffective by reminding the Kremlin that “France is also a nuclear power” as well as for renewing the “Entente Cordiale” by saying:

US and Germany Greenlight (Limited) Strikes on supplied by Washington and Berlin against targets in Russia will “significantly boost” Ukraine’s defense, Zelensky’s press secretary said..“Britain and France are both absolutely clear: Ukraine must win this war. If Ukraine loses, we all lose.  But we must do even more to ensure we defeat Russia. The world is watching – and will judge us if we fail.”

Thanks to Michael McCaul's brilliant speech in US Congress in his role as Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the red line the traitor [CIA Director} Burns drew in the sand in private conversation with Putin in November 2021 has all but been eliminated.  

The war in Ukraine is not merely a stalemate confrontation along the thousand-kilometer line of contact.  It has, in my opinion, a completely different center of gravity (cf. Clausewitz) - the Crimean Peninsula.  Both sides in this war value the immense political symbolism Crimea represents.

At the same time, it represents the most vulnerable component of the Russian military machine. Ukraine managed to force Russian naval forces out of Crimean ports despite lacking its own aircraft or naval fleet.  And now, having received long-range missiles, Ukraine has been striking airfields in the Crimea on a regular basis.  It turns out Russian air defense systems there aren’t up to the task.

If the skies over Ukraine become dotted with 100, or, even better, 200 state-of-the-art Western aircraft, the country will not only gain supremacy in the air, it will also render Russia's occupation of the Crimea untenable.  It will have to withdraw from the peninsula or be completely destroyed remotely. 

What's preventing world from witnessing such a magnificent finale? absurd, artificial red lines that Ukraine and its allies have imposed themselves, We have been waiting for these pilots for two years.  It's possible we will see a few dozen of them in the next two or three months.  But no way will we get the necessary 100-200.

Ukrainian pilots flying F-16s over the skies of Ukraine, But it's not a path to victory.  A path to victory, a quick and decisive one, at that, would require cohesive combat units from the Air Forces of France, UK, and Sweden deployed from airfields of Romania, Poland, and Finland.

https://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/33516

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Ukraine’s ATACMS Rockets Are Severing Russian Supply Lines Into Crimea. But The Last Line Is The Toughest.

It’s extremely difficult to interdict a railroad.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/20...-toughest/

Looks Almost Fine": S-400 Takes a Hit from Ukrainian HIMARS Rocket (June 3, 2024)
"Looks Almost Fine": S-400 Takes a Hit from 

Ukrainian HIMARS Rocket photos and videos of the S-400 air defense system struck near Belgorod, russia, are a good answer to whether it can or cannot intercept GMLRS rockets deployed by the American mobile artillery system.

Missile strike of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has found its target, the S-400 surface-to-air anti-aircraft system deployed near the Belgorod city of russia, a few dozen kilometers from Ukraine's border. Smart rockets launched by an American M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System 

(HIMARS) hit the russian equipment several days after the United States decided to lift the ban on using its weapons for strikes inside russia.

Footage showing massive fire on the site of S-400 deployment and photos of burned equipment have been published online. Besides confirming the accuracy of the long-range attack, the imagery serves as an illustration of what happens to russian weapons when they encounter GMLRS precision-guided rockets fired from HIMARS.

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/looks_alm...10720.html

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Continue from...above

Particularly, pay attention to the photo taken from the roof of the 92N6 radar, the component of the S-400 system. Two launchers in the distance destroyed and the support vehicles damaged. One of the latter could well be a command vehicle, the exact identification is difficult by this photo alone.

Landing such a hit on the launchers means a complete destruction since the solid fuel in the loaded anti-aircraft missiles burns them inside out. The real conundrum is the condition of the cornerstone of this system — the 92N6 mobile radar station. Here we should look closely at the radar antenna, just the part within the view was pierced over fifty times (as highlighted in red in the next photo).

Defense Express / Looks Almost Fine: S-400 Takes a Hit from Ukrainian HIMARS Rocket
These holes are the result of the GMLRS warhead filled with tungsten balls blasting everything around with fragmentation. Defense Express earlier explained what happens when a GMLRS rocket explodes and why you cannot hide from it. For a reminder, here's a video:


Getting hit with such a fragmentation blast leads to a guaranteed incapacitation of the radar which S-400 cannot operate without. The station needs to spend a long time in repair, if it's even reasonable to attempt considering the character of damage. After all, the main element of the radar is pierced across its entire working area. That is all while the system may appear unaffected to the eye or to the satellite. A similar case occurred before, when fragmentation of an ATACMS missile fired by an M142 HIMARS left a visually unharmed russian helicopter honeycombed with tungsten.

Based on this evidence, we can expect another S-400 anti-aircraft missile defense system counted out as eliminated. The russian forces are currently using their S-400s to patch up holes in the air defenses leaving them open to a strike at a relatively short distance from the front or the border.

Also, this originally anti-air systems are being used for regular shellings of the Ukrainian cities within their reach by spitting out missiles to fall along a ballistic trajectory.

[Tee tiong huat]

Continue from...above

Particularly, pay attention to the photo taken from the roof of the 92N6 radar, the component of the S-400 system. Two launchers in the distance destroyed and the support vehicles damaged. One of the latter could well be a command vehicle, the exact identification is difficult by this photo alone.

Landing such a hit on the launchers means a complete destruction since the solid fuel in the loaded anti-aircraft missiles burns them inside out. The real conundrum is the condition of the cornerstone of this system — the 92N6 mobile radar station. Here we should look closely at the radar antenna, just the part within the view was pierced over fifty times (as highlighted in red in the next photo).

Defense Express / Looks Almost Fine: S-400 Takes a Hit from Ukrainian HIMARS Rocket
These holes are the result of the GMLRS warhead filled with tungsten balls blasting everything around with fragmentation. Defense Express earlier explained what happens when a GMLRS rocket explodes and why you cannot hide from it. For a reminder, here's a video:


Getting hit with such a fragmentation blast leads to a guaranteed incapacitation of the radar which S-400 cannot operate without. The station needs to spend a long time in repair, if it's even reasonable to attempt considering the character of damage. After all, the main element of the radar is pierced across its entire working area. That is all while the system may appear unaffected to the eye or to the satellite. A similar case occurred before, when fragmentation of an ATACMS missile fired by an M142 HIMARS left a visually unharmed russian helicopter honeycombed with tungsten.

Based on this evidence, we can expect another S-400 anti-aircraft missile defense system counted out as eliminated. The russian forces are currently using their S-400s to patch up holes in the air defenses leaving them open to a strike at a relatively short distance from the front or the border.

Also, this originally anti-air systems are being used for regular shellings of the Ukrainian cities within their reach by spitting out missiles to fall along a ballistic trajectory.

This originally anti-air systems are being used for regular shellings of the Ukrainian cities within their reach by spitting out missiles to fall along a ballistic trajectory.

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/looks_alm...10720.html

[theold]

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/nato-1...40855.html

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Swarms of Ukrainian Kamikaze Drones Stop Russian Offensive in Kharkiv Region.
Ukrainian Kamikaze Drones Stop Russian Offensive in Kharkiv Region. KHARKIV

The Kremlin maintains the line that everything is still going well and forcing Ukrainian forces to retreat, while most other sources tell of a Russian offensive out of steam amid crushing losses.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33768

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Ukraine’s best numerous deep-strike munitions are made by U.S.A. Truly sustainable & damaging bombardment of bases in Belgorod. U.S. supplies HIMARS, ATACMS & also supplied glide bombs do a good job. Ukrainians finally got green light to proceed. “grateful for vital support,” Zelensky.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron will meet in Paris on June 6, the Elysée confirmed on Tuesday, in a visit that may set stage for a decision about sending French troops to Ukraine

“Amid intensifying Russian attacks on combat zone & on power infrastructure, both presidents will discuss situations on the fronts & Ukraine’s needs,” Macron’s office announced spokespeople described meeting as a “continuation Conference in Support of Ukraine held at Champs Elysees on 26 February,” when Macron first proposed the scenario of sending Western troops to Ukraine.

A day after he & other Western leaders will celebrate 80th anniversary of D-Day on Normandy’s Omaha Beach, Zelensky will be greeted be welcomed by French defense minister, Sebastien Lecornu, & will visit a weapons manufacturer, near Paris.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33782

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The Russians Rolled the Thermobaric Rocket Launchers Toward Chasiv Yar. It Didn’t Help—The Ukrainians Counterattacked, Anyway. After mths of fighting, Russians still struggling to gain a toehold in Ukraine’s 266th biggest population ctr.

Shortly after finally capturing ruins of Avdiivka following a bloody, 5-mth battle that culminated in Feb, Russian eastern forces took aim at another eastern prize: the industrial town of Chasiv Yar, which had a pre-war population of around 12,000.

Exposed on very edge of line of contact west of Bakhmut, depending on north-south canal—a canal with two easy crossing points—for its defense, Chasiv Yar is vulnerable, easternmost canal district, on far side of the canal from the town center, is even more vulnerable. Chasiv Yar should’ve easy picking for nearly 500,000-strong Russian force. Instead, it—like many other front-line towns—has become an attrition trap for the Russians. They’ve made incremental gains that can be measured with a yardstick, but at the cost of thousands of casualties. Ukrainian casualties are much lighter.

Russian strategy mths-long battle for Chasiv Yar is under intensive close air support, Russian troops from 200th Arctic Motor Rifle Brigade, 299th Air Assault Regiment, 11th Air Assault Brigade & other units attack in order to secure a foothold for a direct assault on ctr of Chasiv Yar—while also attacking the village directly to the north. It’s not going well for Russians, even recent introduction Russian TOS-1 & TOS-2 thermobaric rocket launchers to Chasiv Yar sector hasn’t decisively tilted local balance of power. As of Tuesday, the Ukrainian 41st Mechanized Brigade, 241st Territorial Defense Brigade and Presidential Brigade remain in control of Chasiv Yar, the canal district and Kalinina, Russians managed to briefly push back Ukrainians in Kalinina in recent days, but Ukrainians counterattacked despite heavy shelling from Russian 200th Arctic Brigade and reversed the Russians’ gains.

Ukrainian Ctr for Defense Strategies has been pessimistic about canal district, in particular. “The enemy will soon capture the canal neighborhood in Chasiv Yar.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/20...450afb379d

[watchfirst9]

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issues statement on 'anti-Ukrainian' comments from Georgian PM Kobakhidze
Nate Ostiller, The Kyiv Independent news desk
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry released a statement on May 30 condemning recent "anti-Ukrainian" remarks made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Tensions between Georgia and the West, as well as with Ukraine, have increased since the ruling Georgian Dream party reintroduced its controversial foreign agents law in April.

The law, which was passed by the parliament earlier in May, requires organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents" and is widely thought to lead to a crackdown on civil society and independent media.

Speaking at the opening of a new bridge in Tbilisi on May 30, Kobakhidze said that Georgian Dream would not allow a "Maidan" to happen in Georgia. Kobakhidze was referring to the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution in Ukraine in which more than 100 protesters were killed by security forces and culminated in pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych fleeing the country.

Kobakhidze then went on to falsely claim that subsequent Ukrainian governments had been appointed by "the outside." International organizations like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have found that Ukrainian presidential elections in 2014 and 2019 were "competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected."

"The statements of the head of Georgia's government regarding our state, (EuroMaidan), heroism, and struggle of the Ukrainian people for freedom and independence are unacceptable and outrageous," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.

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Ukraine Hits Largest Petroleum Plant in Russia's South and Oil Depot in Belgorod Region. The Novoshakhtinsky petroleum plant, the largest supplier of petroleum products in the south of Russia and the only oil refinery in the Rostov region, was targeted in an overnight attack.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33856

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Kyiv Post sources in Ukraine’s special services confirmed that in the early morning of Thursday, June 6, Ukrainian drones targeted the Novoshakhtinsky petroleum plant in the Rostov region and an oil depot in the Starooskolsky city district of the Belgorod region.

According to the head of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, more than 120 rescuers and at least 15 pieces of equipment, including a fire train, were deployed to extinguish the blaze following the strike on the Novoshakhtinsky plant.

Novoshakhtinsky petroleum plant is largest supplier of petroleum products in south of Russia & only oil refinery in Rostov region. In April, Novoshakhtinsk was once also attacked by UAVs.

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Ukraine Voices Frustration Over Slow Pace of F-16 Pilot Training. By end of this year only 20 Ukrainian F-16 pilots are expected to graduate, half of the number needed to man a full squadron of 20 fighter aircraft.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33882

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https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33882

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Ukraine Voices Frustration Over Slow Pace of F-16 Pilot Training. By end of this year only 20 Ukrainian F-16 pilots are expected to graduate, half of the number needed to man a full squadron of 20 fighter aircraft.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33882

June 6, 2024. Ukrainian officials are urging the US and other countries to expedite F-16 pilot training, stating that the current graduation rate is insufficient to produce enough aviators to operate aircraft soon to be donated to Kyiv, on interviews with former & current US, Ukrainian, & European officials & lawmakers, many of whom spoke anonymously about sensitive diplomatic conversations, outlines the situation. Ukraine claims have 30 pilots immediately available to begin training in US. Biden admin informed Kyiv its Arizona-based program can onl accommodate 12 trainees at time, sources familiar with the request. Similar issues with available training spots exist at two other training facilities in Denmark and Romania.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has formally requested that the US train additional pilots at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. On Capitol Hill, including Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) & Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), leaders of House Intelligence Committee, have also pressed the administration to approve additional training. The pair, along with several other lawmakers, sent a letter to Pentagon asking admin to prioritize.
However, as Politico reported, Washington informed Ukrainian military that, in addition to limited space, other countries are also in line for F-16 training at the base & that it cannot break its commitments to those nations.

“We understand they don’t want to break those contracts, but they could move their American pilots to a different base for training,” said Sasha Ustinova, a Ukrainian lawmaker who advocated for training. Outlined by Politico, National Guard plans to train 12 Ukrainian pilots by Sept at its Tucson facility, Air Force spokesperson Laurel Falls, added limited space in Arizona, Denmark's training facility will close in Nov, a 3rd program in Romania, run by contractors not yet operational.

Pentagon spoken, stated “dozens” of pilots from various countries are undergoing basic F-16 flight training in US & Euro, without providing specific numbers. Maj. Erin Hannigan from the Arizona National Guard confirmed space is limited due to commitments to other countries who need students to meet English language requirements. Aside Tucson location, F-16 training is also conducted at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, but these programs have limited spaces for international students, typically, reserved well in advance.

8-Ukrainian pilots are being trained in Denmark, facility will close next year, Denmark transitions to F-35 aircraft, while, Lockheed Martin & its subcontractor Draken are preparing to train pilots in Romania, but program expensive, also has limited capacity. By end year, 20 Ukrainian F-16 pilots are expected to graduate, half of 40 needed for a full squadron of 20. The 8 new pilots will begin training in Romania, & eight more will soon arrive in Tucson. Denmark facility will not accept additional pilots.

Among training facilities, four slots will be open for Ukrainian pilots through remainder of the year, according to familiar issue. Officials involved in program revealed, despite initial limitations, the F-16 aircraft will eventually offer significant advantages to Kyiv. Initially, missions will be limited, focusing on targeting drones and cruise missiles. However, with a full squadron of aircraft and trained pilots, broader operations, including potential engagements across the border into Russia, become feasible due to the F-16's superior capabilities to the Russian opposition.
Nevertheless, it's expected Ukraine won't have a complete squadron of trained pilots until the end of 2025, the report said.

Additionally, obtaining precise air-to-air missiles poses a challenge, many NATO allies are hesitant to part with their stockpiles, fearing strain on their resources. Discussions among alliance members are ongoing to determine potential contributions. The first Ukrainian pilots in US F-16 fighter recently completed initial basic training in Southwestern US, will soon receiving further training in Europe, likely in Romania or Denmark. Maintenance personnel & other ground crew have reportedly also been trained on the F-16s and will arrive in Ukraine to give training to others who did not attend the training outside Ukraine.

Hannigan told Politico the first batch of Ukrainian F-16 pilots has graduated from 162nd Wing at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona and will now move on to advanced training in Europe. Ukrainian Air Force will receive more than 60 F-16s from Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, and Belgium. These countries, along with the US, UK, Romania, France / Bulgaria, have mobilized staff, aircraft, ground facilities to train Ukrainians to fly and maintain the fighters. 

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33882