Ukraine Invasion: Part 36

[MagicFox]

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 Thanks as usual to all contributors and lurkers

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · Today 13:02
ISW Key Takeaways

Thank you for these.

Re:
Media: Alleged grenade launcher from Ukraine caused an explosion (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/media-alleged-grenade-launcher-from-ukraine-caused-an-explosion-in-polish-police-headquarters) in Polish police headquarters.
According to media reports, the cause of the explosion was the gift Polish General Jaroslaw Szymczyk received during his recent visit to Ukraine. Kyiv hasn't commented.

Please could someone explain this?

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · Today 13:04

^Igotjelly · Today 12:23
And finally talking about the resilience of the Syrian people and their absolute will to survive and thrive (very similar to Ukraine) but which was eventually snuffed out through sheer barbarity^.

Few helped the Syrians though, or the Chechens.

I do wish we would send much much more heavy hardware to Ukraine, and wish we'd done it earlier

I share Igotjelly’s fears, and agree we may have been sending too little help, too late (because of the nuclear threat blackmail I suppose).

The exploding present is indeed a bit of a strange one. Seems to be that they gifted a small rocket launcher (goodness knows why) that accidently went off and has caused injuries.

Bit of extra info:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63993385

Thank you, for the link explaining that present Igotjelly.

twitter.com/Euan_MacDonald/status/1603731877608636416?s=20&t=7bYD_pFZP2A30K3ioCbksg

Electricity and water back on in Kyiv. Still no heating.

Day 295, December 15th. Summary of #Arestovych and #Feygin daily broadcast
Posted on 16 December 2022

🔥Battlefield overview
No major changes on the frontlines. Ukraine conducted a series of successful strikes (artillery, HIMARS, aviation) on Russian positions along almost the entire front (from Kherson to Zaporizhzhija and Lugansk).

🔥Kherson, Zaporizhzhija and Lugansk
Ukrainian artillery, HIMARS and drone strikes hit command posts, ammunition warehouses and military personnel bases on the East bank of Dnieper River in Kherson, Zaporizhzhja, Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

🔥Soledar, Mariinka & Bahmut
Russia continues its attempts to encircle Bakhmut. Heavy infantry clashed between Ukrainian defenders and Russian forces. Russian troops approach the East of the city of Bakhmut but the clashes continue.

🔥Svatove-Kreminna
Tactical clashes and minor movements of Ukrainian forces.

🔥Shahid drone attack on Kyiv
Russia launched 13 drones from the South (Black Sea) to attack Kyiv. All drones were destroyed by Ukrainian air defence.

🔥Zaluzhny’s interview to The Economist
Commander of Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Zaluzhny, told the journalists at The Economist that Russia will attempt to use the mobilization to prepare a new attack on Kyiv and the North of Ukraine around February 2023. Therefore, Ukraine needs to prepare for that and will require more weapons and heavy armoured vehicles to defend and accelerate effective counteroffensive operations and liberate its territories.
Indeed, while Russia has failed in all of its initial objectives, Russian Regime still attempts to use the mobilization and Iranian drones to try to sell to the Russian populace some resemblance of accomplishment. In particular, the current key objectives are to defend & keep the occupied territories of Crimea, Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
The current Russian tactic is to throw Wagner mercenaries and prisoners as cannon fodder and, in the words of Russian military commanders, “to cleanse Russian prison and society”. Use of bodies to buy time for the accumulation of resources (production, purchasing Iranian weapons, repair of old equipment) and training of mobilized that would be used in the next round of invasion of Ukraine.
Currently, these Russian reserves are about 200k. The addition of this 200k Russian reserve to the current 150-170k Russian troops already in Ukraine would create some problems. Nevertheless, the quality of training, combat preparedness, and equipment of these new reserve Russian forces is inferior to the initial invasion force.
At the same time, Ukraine has about 1M people, and the quality of training and weapons is steadily increasing since the 24th of February.

🔥Arestovych’ forecast for the next 2-3 months
Russia is hoping to repeat the Lysychansk/Severodonetsk (April-July) scenario in 2-3 months. However, the elite Russian troops (VDV, marines) and mercenary companies, with immense artillery firepower while Ukraine didn’t have any substantial Western weapons, only managed to occupy 3 cities, Lysychansk, Severodonetsk and Popasna. Now, the quality of the new invasion force composed of mobilized is under question.
Russia will try to attack Kyiv again to stop Ukrainian resistance, which is an erroneous assumption from the start. The main goal of the Kremlin will still be to occupy the whole Donetsk and Lugasnk region.

🔥Ukraine has its own plan
While the 200k of Russian reserve troops and the potential arrival of Iranian ballistic missiles could make the situation difficult for the Ukrainian Army, the situation won’t be as dangerous as in the first months of the full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian General Staff is preparing the defence for the worst-case scenario and is actually planning to keep the initiative in the counteroffensive operations. In the same interview, Zaluzhny requested more weapons for Ukraine to speed up the counteroffensive and expand it. General Zaluzhny stated that more weapons are needed to conduct multiple counteroffensive operations. Currently, Ukraine has the resources for only one major counteroffensive, but it’s ready.
Ukraine will not wait for Russia to complete its plans. Ukrainian Army, Government & people have ruined the Russian regime’s plans several times before and they will keep doing it.
As stated by Sun Tzu – the topmost military skill is to ruin the plans of the enemy. And Ukraine is prepared to do it.

🔥Russian losses in Bahmut-Soledar
In the last 3 months, the losses of the Russian army just in the Bakhmut & Soledar area were over 60k troops (KIA+WIA) – the two cities that Russia is still trying to capture.

🔥Acceleration of Western military aid
Together with the discussion of Patriot transfer to Ukraine other transfers of military equipment to Ukraine are accelerations (e.g. Slovakian MiGs). The Western allies of Ukraine are aware of the Russian plans and the Ukrainian determination to liberate all Ukrainian territories. Ukraine is going to preserve its capacity to conduct a counteroffensive and may have a couple of surprises for Russia in Spring 2023.

🔥Mobilization in Russia
The current Russian reserve of 200k mobilized troops, as well as mercenaries-prisoners, will eventually vanish and Kremlin may attempt to mobilize more people. The key question remains – “Is Russia and Russian society capable of another major effort to conduct mobilization and logistical operations without plunging into a major societal and economic crisis?”
Arestovych has his doubts.

🔥Belarus & Belarusian army
While the Russian regime wishes to involve the Belarusian army in the conflict and to stage another invasion in the North of Ukraine, the Belarusian government and military are resisting. Lukashenko is, on one hand, maneuvering between Russia, China and the West to reduce Russian influence. At the same time, the military is also opposed to the direct conflict with the Ukrainian army and uses creative excuses to create an appearance of training the Belarusian army.
Even if Russia starts to prepare the invasion force in Belarus, it will take 1-2 months and even then, the invasion from Belarus would depend on external factors and geopolitical climate. The danger of invasion from Belarus is real but is not imminent.

🔥More sanctions for Russia and financial aid to Ukraine by EU
EU has approved the 9th package of sanctions against Russia (personal and economical ones). At the same time, 18B euros humanitarian aid package to Ukraine was approved, circumventing Hungary’s veto. These are clear signs of united policy of EU and the will to resist Russian aggression and influence.
The next step will be a Russian gas cap.

🔥Negotiating with Russian war criminals?
The aggressive Russian energetical policy, bribing of EU officials, Russian war crimes (the constant attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, torture, rape and murder of civilians, including children) increase the determination of the West to sever all business with Russia.
The West will also be increasing its military-industrial activity and military aid to Ukraine.

🔥Poland & the US
Poland has recognised Russian Federation as a sponsor of terrorism. There is a movement to recognise Holodomor as a genocide against Ukrainians. At the same time, the US congress has introduced an initiative to expel the Russian Federation from the UN council.

@DesdamonasHandkerchief thanks for the daily broadhcast

At the same time, the US congress has introduced an initiative to expel the Russian Federation from the UN council.

Is it possible? Assuming this has to go before the UN General Assembly, seems like quite a difficult thing to achieve, considering how polarised the world has become between the great powers.

🔥Soledar, Mariinka & Bahmut
Russia continues its attempts to encircle Bakhmut. Heavy infantry clashed between Ukrainian defenders and Russian forces. Russian troops approach the East of the city of Bakhmut but the clashes continue.

🔥Russian losses in Bahmut-Soledar
In the last 3 months, the losses of the Russian army just in the Bakhmut & Soledar area were over 60k troops (KIA+WIA) – the two cities that Russia is still trying to capture.

Heavy infantry clashes in Bakhmut. 60K Russian troops taken out. Bakhmut sounds like a bloodsoaked hell on earth. It does seem to be of strategic importance as per your link below to the Twitter thread as to why Bakhmut is so heavily contested.

thank you @DesdamonasHandkerchief

Lawrence Freedman's latest: "Who can guarantee Russian security and what makes Putin insecure?"

samf.substack.com/p/who-can-guarantee-russian-security?publication_id=631422&isFreemail=true

This is very upsetting. It gives such a wrong message. The ‘spirit’ is all wrong.

Rishi Sunak orders audit of Ukraine war progress, source says
By Nicholas Watt
Newsnight political editor
16 December 2022

Military chiefs believe the war in Ukraine has reached a stalemate
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has asked for an assessment of the progress of the war in Ukraine, BBC Newsnight has learnt.
Senior figures fear the PM may be taking an overly cautious approach as the war enters a key phase.
One Whitehall source likened the exercise to a "Goldman Sachs dashboard" examination of the war and how UK military supplies are used.
Downing Street insists that Mr Sunak is strongly supportive of Ukraine.
In a tweet, Mr Sunak said the UK was with Ukraine "all the way" during a visit to the country last month, his first overseas trip as prime minister.
A Downing Street source added that it was not true that Sunak was being overly cautious and that "the UK government's support for Ukraine is unwavering".
But the request has raised alarm bells in some corners of Whitehall as military chiefs say weapons supplies to Ukraine may prove decisive in the winter months ahead.
The Whitehall source said: "Wars aren't won [by dashboards]. Wars are won on instinct. At the start of this it was Boris (Johnson) sitting down and saying: 'Let's just go for this.' So Rishi needs to channel his inner Boris on foreign policy though not of course on anything else."
The source said the audit, known as a data-driven assessment, is designed to assess the progress of the war and the significance of the UK's military contributions to Ukraine. The source said: "This is about looking at what we have put in, what we have got out."

Here is the link:

Rishi Sunak orders audit of Ukraine war progress, source says - BBC News

www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64006121
www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64006121.amp

This is extremely worrying and completely sends the wrong message to Putin, Ukraine & western allies.

There is absolutely no need for any of this, UK, US and Western intel services will know all this and being telling no10.

I wonder if the Sunaks very strong family links to Modi and India's continued tacit support of Russia are about to shine through?

On the flip side, this sort of thing being reported can be positive as it shows there are checks and balances. This could pacify the section of the population that want us to stop supplying anything, and show them that we are thinking carefully. I have noticed a lot of this sort of commentary increasing as the bad weather has begun to bite here. It’s critical that we keep supporting Ukraine but the politicians will need the public need to be on board with it. This kind of transparency is key.

also... and apologies if already resolved... what happened with Sunaks 125 anti aircraft guns promised to Ukraine?

I actually don’t necessarily think that it’s a bad thing. Accountability of public funds is an essential part of democracy. If it’s all in order then any audit would find so and if it isn’t then that needs addressed.

Perhaps the audit will show that UK's military support of Ukraine has outsized effectiveness in the hands of Ukraine, the multiplier being Ukraine's courage, agility and inventiveness.

Not liking his family's political links to Modi/India. But I think/hope that Rishi will do the right thing. He did an unpopular thing to rein in Liz Truss' excesses to get the UK back on track in what will be an expected short run as PM. If there was a politician has a moral compass in this latest lot, I am betting Rishi.

Agreed.
Never understand the type of person who thinks everything should be kept secret and certain things should never be questioned.

@Alexandra2001 I havent heard any more about the anti-aircraft guns myself ..

ISW Key Takeaways
www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-16

Russian forces conducted another set of large-scale missile strikes throughout Ukraine and one of the largest missile attacks against Kyiv to date.

Russian strikes continue to pose a significant threat to Ukrainian civilians despite generating no improvement in the Russian ability to conduct offensive operations.

Dmitry Medvedev made inflammatory but irrelevant comments in support of ongoing information operations that aim to weaken Western support for Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely pressure Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to support the Russian war in Ukraine further at a December 19 meeting in Minsk.

Lukashenko is already setting information conditions to deflect Russian integration demands.

Putin’s upcoming visit to Minsk could indicate that he is setting conditions for a new offensive from Belarusian territory.

Putin and Lukashenko’s meeting will likely advance a separate Russian information operation that seeks to break Ukrainian will and Western willingness to support Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly ignored worst-case scenario assessments of potential damage to the Russian economy prior to launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia is continuing to face economic challenges as a direct result of the war in Ukraine.

Russian forces conducted counterattacks in the Svatove and Kreminna areas.

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka-Donetsk City areas.

Russian forces continued to undertake defensive measures on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River.

Russian officials will likely struggle to recruit additional contract servicemembers despite ongoing efforts to do so.

Russian occupation authorities continued seizing civilian infrastructure to treat wounded Russian servicemen and aid Russian forces operating in occupied territories.

+++

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️Air Force: 60 out 76 Russian missiles launched at Ukraine shot (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/air-force-60-out-76-russian-missiles-launched-at-ukraine-shot-down) down.

⚡️Police chief: Children find (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/police-chief-children-find-anti-personnel-mine-placed-in-backpack-in-mykolaiv-oblast) anti-personnel mine placed in backpack in Mykolaiv Oblast.

⚡️Ukrenergo: Energy deficit in Ukraine worsens (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ukrenergo-energy-deficit-in-ukraine-worsens-significantly-due-to-dec-16-missile-attacks) ‘significantly’ due to Dec. 16 missile attacks.

⚡️EU adopts 9th sanctions (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/eu-adopts-9th-sanctions-package-against-russia) package against Russia.
The package includes restrictions in export, the banking sector, broadcasting, consulting services, energy and mining sectors, and individual sanctions.

⚡️Media: Bulgarian parliament passes (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/media-bulgarian-parliament-passes-agreement-on-weapons-supply-to-ukraine) agreement on weapons supply to Ukraine.

⚡️Economy Ministry: Ukraine’s private sector to receive (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/economy-ministry-ukraines-private-sector-to-receive-2-billion-package-from-us-financial-orgnization) $2 billion package from US financial orgnization.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a Washington D.C.-based financial institution and member of the World Bank Group, supported the program of financing Ukrainian businesses for $2 billion, according (www.me.gov.ua/News/Detail?lang=uk-UA&id=3cd7a0de-bfd7-4cba-b08e-d3ebdda176aa&title=MizhnarodnaFinansovaKorporatsiiaVidilila2-MlrdDolarivNaPidtrimkuInvestitsiiVUkrainu) to Ukraine's Economy Ministry.

⚡️White House: Ukraine to receive (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/white-house-ukraine-to-receive-more-air-defense-in-next-us-military-aid-package) more air defense in next US military aid package.

⚡️CNN: FIFA rejects (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/cnn-fifa-rejects-zelenskys-request-to-offer-message-of-peace-at-world-cup-final) Zelensky's request to offer "message of peace" at World Cup final.

⚡️Minister: Greece to deliver S-300 missiles to Ukraine if US gives it Patriot systems.

⚡️Zelensky: Russia has enough missiles for several more massive strikes.

⚡️Zelensky, people of Ukraine to receive Charlemagne Prize.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside the people of Ukraine, will be awarded the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen 2023 for the unity of Europe, according to the organizer

⚡️General Staff: Russia fortifies Crimea, Kherson Oblast amid concerns about Ukrainian offensive.
In addition, Russia is sending mobilized conscripts from Krasnodar Oblast to protect the North Crimean Canal, a water supply artery that leads to the occupied Crimea, the General Staff said

⚡️Borrell: Russian attacks against Ukraine intensify (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/borrell-russian-attacks-against-ukraine-intensify-eu-support) EU support.

⚡️Ukrenegro lifts (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/ukrenegro-lifts-state-of-emergency-in-energy-sector-as-power-supply-is-restored) state of emergency in energy sector as power supply is restored.
The state grid operator, Ukrenergo, lifted a state of emergency in Ukraine’s energy sector late on Dec. 16

⚡️Russian media: Wagner Group executes (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/russian-media-wagner-group-executes-10-mercenaries-for-refusing-to-fight-in-ukraine) 10 mercenaries for refusing to fight in Ukraine.

⚡️BBC: UK prime minister orders audit (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/bbc-uk-prime-minister-orders-audit-of-ukraine-war-progress) of Ukraine war progress.

⚡️General Staff: Russia withdrawing (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/general-staff-russia-withdrawing-some-forces-from-kakhovka-nova-kakhovka-in-kherson-oblast) some forces from Kakhovka, Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast. [rotation or withdrawal?]

⚡️Rescuers retrieve (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/rescuers-retrieve-body-of-one-and-a-half-year-old-from-under-rubble-in-kryvyi-rih) body of 1-year-old from under rubble in Kryvyi Rih.

⚡️Power restored (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/power-restored-in-most-parts-of-kharkiv-oblast-repairs-in-kyiv-oblast-ongoing) in most parts of Kharkiv Oblast, repairs in Kyiv Oblast are ongoing.

⚡️Scholz: We must continue talking (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/scholz-we-must-continue-talking-with-russia-to-end-war) with Russia to end war.
There is a great danger of a further escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Süddeutsche Zeitung. “If we don't speak, Russia is even less likely to end the war,” he said. [idiot. Putin understands nothing but action: containment]

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Russia may again try to attack Ukraine from the side of Belarus, said Andriy Kovalchuk, the commander of the Operation Command "Pivden" ("South"). He explained that "we live with the thought that they will attack again. This is our task." [the ISW assess they probably won't, but they sound less certain than they used to]

Oligarchs from Russia and Belarus are massively appealing the sanctions against them in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg
Among the plaintiffs are the oligarchs Grigory Berezkin and Gennady Timchenko, Roman Abramovich, Mikhail Fridman.
Berezkin and Abramovich demand compensation for "non-material damage", while Timchenko asks for 1 million euros in compensation.
The main shareholder of Rossiya Bank, a longtime friend and "wallet" of Russian President Vladimir Putin, claims that he was "by mistake" included in the list.

Employees of "Gazprom" and "Rosneft" were banned from traveling abroad so that they would not disseminate information about the work of the companies – Russian media

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a grant of 4.5 million euros to support Internet access through Ukrposhta branches, the EBRD press service reports

⚡️ The Russian Federation has stopped launching Iranian drones from Crimea, as it considers the peninsula a “vulnerable spot.” Now drones are launched from the Krasnodar region of Russia, — British intelligence

Already in the spring, the EU can assess Ukraine's progress in fulfilling the seven requirements for a candidate for membership, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanyshyna

At the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin ordered Kadyrov to kill Zelensky — WSJ

NATO is discussing the supply of Patriot systems to Ukraine, but the big problem is the ammunition they need — Jens Stoltenberg

The World Bank creates a trust fund to support the government of Ukraine, — World Bank press release.
"Ukraine's Support, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Fund (URTF) will provide a coordinated mechanism for financing and supporting the activities of the government of Ukraine."

⚡️ Serbia is considering expanding its gas infrastructure to get rid of dependence on the Russian Federation, the Serbian energy minister told Bloomberg. [surprising, given that Serbia and Russia are close. If this report is true, and if the minister means it].

Live: Ukraine

🇩🇪 The number of supporters of providing Ukraine with modern combat tanks has increased in Germany. This is evidenced by the results of a sociological survey conducted by the research group Forschungsgruppe Wahlen commissioned by the German TV channel ZDF.

🇬🇪The Government of Georgia has allocated $560 thousand for the purchase of generators for Ukraine.

🇭🇷 The Croatian Parliament rejected the proposal to join the EU mission to train Ukrainian military (EUMAM).

🇨🇭Switzerland joined the EU sanctions against Russia. In particular, it limited prices for Russian crude oil and petroleum products

🇩🇪Germany gives another €100 million to the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine
These funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment, materials and spare parts for the restoration of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

🇺🇸Biden administration asks Congress to allocate another $38 billion to Ukraine - White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

CIA sees no clear evidence of Russia's plans to use tactical nuclear weapons
"I think that the rattling of weapons is intended to intimidate," says the director of the department.
According to him, the United States made it very clear to the Russians what serious risks the use of nuclear weapons will have.

Moldova silenced pro-Russian TV channels

Washington Post Telegram

‘Wiped out’: War in Ukraine has decimated a once feared Russian brigade

(www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/16/russia-200th-brigade-decimated-ukraine/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram)HELSINKI — Nuclear-armed submarines slip in and out of the frigid waters along the coast of Russia’s Kola Peninsula at the northern edge of Europe. Missiles capable of destroying cities are stored by the dozens in bunkers burrowed into the inland hills.

Since the Cold War, this Arctic arsenal has been protected by a combat unit considered one of Russia’s most formidable — the 200th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade — until it sent its best fighters and weapons to Ukraine this year and was effectively destroyed.

The 200th was among the first units to plunge into Ukraine on Feb. 24, as part of a fearsome assault on the city of Kharkiv. By May, the unit was staggering back across the Russian border desperate to regroup, according to internal brigade documents reviewed by The Post and to previously undisclosed details provided by Ukrainian and Western military and intelligence officials.

More promises, or a repeat of the promise in press releases made a few days ago:

www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-president-zelenskyy-of-ukraine-9-december-2022

Not sure if anybody is any the wiser as to what is involved...it would be really nice to think it's something potentially game changing along the lines of an order of something like Rheinmetall Skynex....but that would cost.

OTOH many still wouldn't be surprised if it's decent calibre heavy machine guns perhaps with improved sights/low light capability.

Wanting one thing not done/kept secret is not "Everything should be kept secret"

So lets say the cost benefit audit isn't in Ukraine's favour.. what then?
You want to reduce or stop support? open talks with Putin against the wishes of Ukraine?

Effectiveness of UK support should be a constant on going thing, in conjucntion with MOD, NATO and Ukraine.

UK seen to be getting cold feet will embolden other critics of NATO support.

One would assume that some sort of audit is being kept all the time, and that reality is always a most pressing matter. Of course it is important.

This worldwide announcement, however, makes it seem that we are going to make a list and do additions and subtractions to see whether or not this horrific invasion is worth resisting. That is hardly what garners, hope, belief, energy, intuition, flexibility and whatever it is that moves mountains.

Liveuamap
@Liveuamap
·
1h
Russian tycoon, former owner of biggest developer group Don-Stroi, Dmitriy Zelenov has died in France, after falling from the stairs

Russia's Bakhmut Problems Show Putin 'Overestimated' His Forces: Commander

www.newsweek.com/russia-bakhmut-problems-putin-overestimated-forces-1767732

On the audit issue, the US DoD had a team on the ground in Ukraine recently that verified that US military supplies and weapons were in use as intended and had not been diverted. Some of that was to prevent it from becoming a political issue and that it was a good idea. The Pentagon has been keen to minimize the number of American personnel on the ground in Ukraine, but this was a worthy exception.

Back to the audit...

I think there's lots of value in knowing that your money/weapons are going to the right place/being used effectively. OTOH I winced more than a bit when I read this in the BBC piece:

"The source said the audit, known as a data-driven assessment, is designed to assess the progress of the war and the significance of the UK's military contributions to Ukraine. The source said: "This is about looking at what we have put in, what we have got out."" (my emphasis).

I think/ I hope I know what was meant but the language isn't great.

About the audit:
That US check on the use of the weapons they sent makes sense MissConduct and helps rather than hinders as you describe it.

The UK language is terrible however worthwhile their intentions.