A missile that killed two people in eastern Poland November 15 was likely an old Russian surface-to-air S-300 which went astray after it was fired by Ukrainian forces trying to counter a massive Russian barrage. Nevertheless, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said today that Russia “bears ultimate responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine.” [node:read-more:link]
While retired Army Lieutenant-General Michael Maisonneuve received a standing ovation from senior serving officers at this year’s Vimy Award dinner, other members of the dinner found his November 9 speech offensive. In addition to broadsiding the government’s handling of several key policies, Maisonneuve excoriated divisive leadership, apologists, historical revisionists, social media and journalism in general. [node:read-more:link]
The Canadian Army has begun to replenish its inventories of vehicles and weapons sent to Ukraine for its counteroffensive against Russia’s invasion. A $165-million contract for General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada to supply 29 Light Armoured Vehicles evidently is the first step. The Department of National Defence also expects to replace “at least” 100 older M2 versions of the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle with M4s and is still considering options for replacing some 4,500 M72A5-C1 single-shot disposable launchers as well as four M777 howitzers and various munitions. [node:read-more:link]
Switzerland has refused to permit a request by Germany, its largest arms export market, for a licence to re-export Swiss munitions to Ukraine. The decision has prompted the head of Germany’s liberal Freed Democratic Party defence group to suggest that “if Switzerland does not provide ammunition to attacked countries, then Germany too must decouple its supply chain from the friendly confederation.” [node:read-more:link]
A U.S. resolution calling for a ban on testing of anti-satellite missiles has been endorsed by a UN committee. The vote was 154 in favour and eight against, including China and Russia, with 10 abstentions. [node:read-more:link]
A potential sale by Lockheed Martin of multiple rocket launcher systems to Finland has been approved by the U.S. State Department. The deal is estimated to be worth US$535 million. [node:read-more:link]
The first National Defense Strategy from President Joe Biden’s administration sees Russia as an “acute” cyber and missile threat while its take on China is that it is the United States’ most consequential strategic competitor. “Unlike China, Russia can’t systemically challenge the United States over the long term, but Russian aggression does pose an immediate and sharp threat,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said today. [node:read-more:link]
Suggestions by President Vladimir Putin and senior officials that Russia could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine are being denied by Sergei Naryshkin, head of the SVR Foreign Intelligence Service. Instead, he claimed to be concerned that “Western rhetoric about the possibility” is fuelling the debate. [node:read-more:link]
The SKS, a Russian semi-automatic rifle design dating to 1945, which has been used in several shootings in Canada in recent years, is not covered by the federal government’s list of some 2,000 proscribed “assault” weapons. “It's actually still used in militaries across the world,” says one gun-control advocate. “The only reason why it was not covered . . . is because it's not a modern design,” a criterion “that makes no sense.” [node:read-more:link]
The European Union has approved a French-run military training mission for thousands of Ukrainian troops as well as some €500 million for additional weapons procurement. Countries that aren’t part of the bloc will be allowed to take part in the training of 15,000 Ukrainian troops mainly in Poland and Germany. [node:read-more:link]
Ukraine’s capital was struck October 17 by waves of explosive loitering munitions, Iranian-supplied Shahed drones, which hit energy infrastructure, set buildings afire and killed civilians. The barrage was the second in as many weeks. [node:read-more:link]
Senior Iranian officials have confirmed that their government will provide Russia with more loitering munitions and missiles for use against Ukraine. A deal was agreed to October 6 in Moscow during a visit by Iran's First Vice President and representatives of the Supreme National Security Council and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. [node:read-more:link]
Thirty-nine armoured troop carriers and eight tactical vehicles promised or delivered by Canada to Ukraine aren’t enough for one of the country’s MPs. Inna Sovsun wants more western tanks and other armoured vehicles. An additional $47 million in support announced last week by Defence Minister Anita Anand, whose department is seeing stockpiles diminished, did not mention vehicles or more howitzers Ukraine requested. [node:read-more:link]
As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to rely on artillery barrages, the U.S. is urging allies to synchronize their artillery capabilities as a more effective response. “From watching what’s happening to our east is fires formations are very relevant in 2022 and in the future,” says MGen Stephen Maranian, head of the U.S. Army’s 56th Artillery Command in Germany. He says the concept was validated during a multinational exercise under the command and control of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. [node:read-more:link]
Representatives of more than 50 Western countries are meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels today to discuss the logistics of supplying Ukraine with more weapons for its counteroffensive against Russia, particularly air defences. More than 100 missile strikes have killed at least 26 Ukrainians this week, an intensification NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says is evidence that Russia is “losing on the battlefield.” [node:read-more:link]
