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Why Ukraine is losing American weapons on the battlefield

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The aftermath of Russia’s invasion, which commenced a year and a half ago, has witnessed the United States furnishing Ukraine with over $47 billion worth of military support.

While this assistance proved instrumental in restraining the Russian onslaught, it fell short of achieving Kyiv’s aspiration of reclaiming the entirety of Ukrainian territory.

The latest appeal from the White House for an additional $13 billion to sustain military aid underscores the extended commitment needed to bolster Ukraine’s defense.

Unlike the initial phase of the conflict, where apprehensions of escalation dictated the supply of equipment, the current aid package incorporates some of the most formidable and expensive items from the U.S. arsenal, such as M1 Abrams battle tanks, Patriot missile defense systems, and HIMARS rocket launchers.

Regrettably, a substantial portion of these assets has already been obliterated.

Estimations suggest that up to 20% of the weaponry deployed by Ukraine during the initial stages of its recent counteroffensive, including numerous Western-supplied platforms, were either impaired or destroyed within the first fortnight.

This disheartening attrition rate has compelled Ukrainian forces to recalibrate their strategies and could potentially strain the global capacity to sustain their war effort.

The prevailing narrative highlights the intense challenges encountered by Ukraine as it endeavors to breach a well-fortified adversary’s defenses.

This endeavor is inherently arduous and results in elevated casualties, both in terms of personnel and equipment. Despite their persistent efforts, Ukrainian forces are yet to overcome these defenses, indicating the rigorous nature of the conflict.

Fighting vehicles

Among the assets bearing the brunt of this battle are the American Bradley fighting vehicles, which have played a pivotal role in safeguarding Ukrainian troops during the counteroffensive.

While the U.S. committed to sending 190 of these vehicles, photographic evidence documented by the open-source blog Oryx reveals that at least 23 have been obliterated, with an additional 21 sustaining damage and 5 being abandoned.

The scale of destruction extends beyond Bradleys, encompassing more than 60 M113 armored fighting vehicles, 57 Maxxpro mine-resistant vehicles, and over 100 Humvees.

These losses collectively amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in value. Such attrition levels, though disheartening, align with projections from military experts who anticipated the formidable challenges posed by Russia’s entrenched defensive positions and evolving tactical approaches.

Evolving tactics

As a response to these setbacks, Ukrainian tactics have evolved.

The initial emphasis on vehicular assaults against Russian positions has given way to a strategy focused on wearing down enemy defenses through sustained artillery barrages from a distance.

This approach has yielded some reduction in equipment losses, with a drop from 20% to 10% after the initial two weeks of the counteroffensive.

However, this methodical approach, while preserving costly combat systems, entails gradual progress and heightened ammunition expenditure. The protracted nature of this attrition-based conflict implies prolonged hostilities and more casualties for Ukrainian forces on the front lines.

Ukrainian officials, acknowledging this shift, now discuss the prospect of triumphing through attrition, although skeptics caution against underestimating the high cost of such a strategy.

While Russian losses have also been substantial, with more than 2,200 tanks lost since the conflict’s outset, Ukraine’s predicament is accentuated by its relatively limited inventory.

 

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How Donald Trump’s business policies will shape the U.S. economy

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Business leaders are closely monitoring the impact that President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming policies might have on the financial landscape.

In a resounding victory, Trump captured both the electoral and popular vote to become the 47th President of the United States.

Trump’s landslide victory is fueling discussions on how his administration’s potential policy changes could reshape tax and trade systems as well as influence global economies.

Vick Tipnes, the CEO of Blackstone medical services joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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Usha Vance to make history as the first Indian-American Second Lady

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President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his transition team in Florida alongside Vice President-elect J.D. Vance as they prepare for the upcoming administration.

This election ushers in significant milestones, including Usha Vance, who will be the first Indian American and Hindu to serve as Second Lady of the United States.

As the daughter of Indian immigrants, her presence marks a moment of cultural representation in American politics.

Vice President-elect J.D. Vance praised his wife’s unwavering support, attributing her strength as a key factor in their successful campaign.

This new chapter signals a blend of continuity and change in the White House, promising a term marked by historical firsts and renewed policy efforts.

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Biden urges calm after election upset

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U.S. President Joe Biden is calling on Americans to “bring down the temperature” after Donald Trump’s stunning return to the presidency.

Speaking to Democrats shaken by Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat, Biden urged, “Setbacks are unavoidable. Giving up is unforgivable.”

He praised the election as proof of America’s strong and trustworthy electoral system, stressing that it remains “honest, fair, and transparent.”

Biden extended an invitation to President-elect Trump to meet at the White House—a gesture Trump himself had not extended in 2020.

Meanwhile, Trump’s team confirms he plans to meet with Biden soon, as he begins building his leadership team.

Some Democrats say Biden, now 81, may have hurt Harris’ chances by initially seeking re-election, only dropping his bid after a difficult TV debate in July.

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