Ukraine Invasion: Part 49

[MagicFox]

Welcome to our 49th thread with the usual thanks to all regular contributors and lurkers 🇺🇦

**
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I just wanted to pop in and say Happy 249th Birthday to the U.S. Army.

Happy 249th! .... next year the big one huh :)

Happy birthday United States Army!🇺🇸

I think it will be quite a party!

I'm not sure about that; I have wondered whether the armed aggression was because he neeeded to reassure himself about his masculinity now he can no longer get it up.

I think myself that at some very deep level he gets off on producing strife and misery.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Zelensky arrives https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-switzerland-peace-summit/ in Switzerland as 92 countries confirm peace summit attendance.

⚡️ Yermak at peace summit: There will be no new ‘Minsk agreements or Budapest.' https://kyivindependent.com/yermak-ukraine-ready-to-create-new-joint-peace-plan-based-on-zelenskys-formula/
Ukraine wants no new variations of the 2014-2015 Minsk agreements or the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, as they failed to provide Kyiv with reliable guarantees, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak said on June 15 on the sidelines of the Switzerland peace summit.

⚡️EU ambassadors approve https://kyivindependent.com/eu-ambassadors-approve-starting-accession-talks-with-ukraine-on-june-25/ starting accession talks with Ukraine on June 25.

⚡️Germany blocks https://kyivindependent.com/germany-blocks-sanctions-on-russian-gas/ sanctions on Russian gas.

⚡️Putin names ceasefire demands https://kyivindependent.com/putin-names-ceasefire-demands-full-ukrainian-withdrawal-from-four-oblasts/ including Kyiv's complete withdrawal from four Ukrainian regions.
Speaking on the eve of the global peace summit in Switzerland on June 15-16, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukrainian troops must leave Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and Kyiv must abandon any ambition to join NATO.

⚡️Putin claims Russia has almost 700,000 soldiers fighting https://kyivindependent.com/putin-claims-russia-700-000-soldiers-in-ukraine/ in Ukraine.

⚡️Politico: Belarus supplied https://kyivindependent.com/politico-belarus-azerbaijan/ arms to Azerbaijan in 'betrayal' to Armenia.
Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan for years, despite being in a Russia-led security alliance with Armenia, Politico reported on June 13, citing a cache of leaked documents.

NATO allies have failed to agree so far on a long-term financial pledge for Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Jun 14 after a two-day meeting of the alliance's defense ministers in Brussels. https://kyivindependent.com/nato-not-yet-agreed-on-long-term-financial-support-for-ukraine/

Ammunition provided under the Czech-led initiative is now arriving in Ukraine and will continue to flow, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told RFE/RL on June 13. https://kyivindependent.com/czech-ammunition-arriving/

Germany has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine that includes three HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 10 Leopard main battle tanks, the country's defense ministry announced on June 14.
The package also includes two IRIS-T air defense systems, 21,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, and two Beaver bridge-laying vehicles. https://kyivindependent.com/more-himars-and-leopards-for-ukraine-as-germany-announces-new-military-aid-package/

⚡️ US announces $1.5 billion https://kyivindependent.com/us-announces-1-5-billion-in-aid-for-ukraine-including-support-for-energy-infrastructure/ in aid for Ukraine, including support for energy infrastructure.
The U.S. will provide Ukraine with $1.5 billion in aid to support the country's energy infrastructure, address urgent humanitarian needs, and bolster civilian security, including the protection of the border, Vice President Kamala Harris said on June 15.

Belarus Weekly: Warsaw establishes commission to investigate Russian, Belarusian influence https://kyivindependent.com/belarus-weekly-warsaw-establishes-commission-to-investigate-russian-belarusian-influence/

⚡️EU Commissioner: EU will match https://kyivindependent.com/eu-commissioner-eu-will-match-russias-ammunition-production-in-2025/ Russia's ammunition production in 2025.
The European Union has accelerated its production of projectiles and will match Russia's production capacity in 2025, EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said in an interview with French news outlet La Tribune on June 14.

⚡️Russian attacks damage https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-damage-energy-facilities-causing-power-deficit-energy-ministry-says/ energy facilities, causing power deficit, Energy Ministry says.

Ukraine-US 10-year security deal: 5 key takeaways https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-us-10-year-security-deal-5-key-takeaways/

⚡️At least 70 drones used in attack https://kyivindependent.com/at-least-70-drones-used-in-attack-on-russias-morozovsk-airbase-budanov-confirms/ on Russia's Morozovsk airbase, Budanov confirms.

Ukraine Business Roundup — Dispatch from Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-business-roundup-dispatch-from-ukraine-recovery-conference-in-berlin/

⚡️Zelensky discusses https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-meets-pope-italy/ peace, return of abducted Ukrainian children with Pope.

kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-women-share-their-accounts-of-rape-by-russian-forces-as-reporters-investigate-their-assailants/

⚡️Governor: 12 Ukrainian children returned https://kyivindependent.com/12-ukrainian-children-returned-from-russian-occupied-areas-of-kherson-oblast/ from Russian-occupied areas.

⚡️Man suspected of murdering 9-year-old Ukrainian in Germany arrested https://kyivindependent.com/czech-police-arrest-suspect/ in Prague.

⚡️Russian attack on Sumy Oblast kills 1, injures 7.
⚡️ Russian cluster munition strike on Donetsk Oblast village kills 3, injures 5.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦

• JUN 15, 2024

■ Close to 1.1k casualties, engagements stay above average ■ Equipment slightly above avg, 19 air defence systems hit in the last 7 days ■ 🇺🇦 strikes above average, good strike ratio ■ KIU: +48 officers incl. 7 senior ones

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-14-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined his uncompromising demands for Ukraine’s capitulation as a prerequisite for "peace" negotiations in Ukraine, including the recognition of Russia’s illegal annexation of occupied and Ukrainian-controlled territory in eastern and southern Ukraine, in an attempt to undermine the June 15-16 Global Peace Summit in Switzerland.
• Putin proposed to establish an alternative Eurasian and world security system with support from People's Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping, likely to undermine NATO.
• The Kremlin has frequently timed the intensification of its information operations, including negotiations, to coincide with major policy debates in the West in order to influence Western decision-making. [Thought so]
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev continued to rail against Western colonialism while ignoring Russia's imperial history and contemporary Russian imperialist aspirations to dominate Russia’s neighbors in eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
• Medvedev also promoted Kremlin information operations that aim to exploit Moldovan identity politics in order to disrupt Moldova's European Union (EU) accession by destabilizing Moldovan society.
• Medvedev also threatened Armenia on the eve of Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan's attendance at the June 15-16 Global Peace Summit in Switzerland.
• An unnamed senior US Department of Defense official reportedly said that the Biden Administration has no imminent plans to lift restrictions prohibiting Ukrainian forces from striking military targets in Russia’s operational and deep rear areas in Russian territory with US-provided weapons.
• Ukrainian forces conducted a large series of drone strikes against Russia on the night of June 13 to 14.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka and Donetsk City.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on June 14 that there are currently almost 700,000 Russian personnel in the "special military operation zone," which includes both occupied Ukraine and areas within Russia bordering Ukraine, during the meeting with participants of the "Time of Heroes" program.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The Russian Federation must pay 486 billion dollars to Ukraine for the damage caused, according to a G7 statement.

Western partners do not want to train too many Ukrainian pilots before the F-16 is handed over to Kyiv, so that the military does not lose skills, — Politico. @notimagain
The publication writes that Ukrainian officials insist on training 30 more pilots and complain about the lack of places at training bases in the USA and Denmark.
At the same time, US and European officials say that they are specifically working on synchronizing the number of pilots and technical personnel who have graduated with the number of aircraft that will be transferred to Ukraine. This is reportedly required to preserve the military's skills.

The G7 warned Russia against using nuclear weapons.
The summit participants expressed deep concern over "Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and actions, as well as reports of its increasingly frequent use of chemical agents against Ukrainian forces." The leaders of the Group of Seven are also concerned about the "opaque and accelerated expansion of China's nuclear arsenal," as well as the development of nuclear and ballistic missile programs in North Korea and Iran.

The G7 leaders did not discuss Putin's proposal yesterday regarding the settlement of the war in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

Romania has not issued visas to Russian delegates for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
The OSCE PA session will be held in Bucharest from June 29 to July 3. The Romanian Foreign Ministry reported that, due to Russian aggression against Ukraine, none of the members of the Russian delegation will be issued visas or allowed to enter the country.
Russia has not participated in at least four meetings and sessions of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly: in the UK in 2022, Canada and Armenia in 2023, and in Austria this year.

The Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said that he would not participate in the Summit on Peace for Ukraine in order to "not mix politics with the technical work" of the Agency.

UGVs are just starting to be used in large numbers. But with the war becoming ever-more deadly, robots like the D-21-11 are set to provide some much-needed relief for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where many soldiers are now well into their third year of war. They can be fitted with a machine gun and used to assault, but also to evacuate dead or wounded as well as bring supplies to the trenches. https://t.me/United24media/22732

Russia has suspended currency trading in response to the latest US sanctions, which have disrupted the remaining connections between the Russian financial system and foreign banks, according to the Financial Times.
The demand for dollars and euros in Russia will persist, but finding trading partners will become more difficult, increasing transaction costs and reducing economic transparency. Moving all dollar and euro operations to the interbank market will likely widen the spreads between purchase and sale prices, increasing the ruble's volatility.
For ordinary Russians, this will complicate transferring money abroad and increase costs for importers who need to buy foreign currency for payments. Exporters will also face challenges as they convert most of their foreign revenues into rubles, according to Alexandra Prokopenko, a researcher at the Carnegie Russian Eurasian Center.

Ukraine has appealed to the International Olympic Committee to ban Russian wrestlers from the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. According to the list of athletes by the Russian Wrestling Federation, some are distinct supporters of the war against Ukraine and the policy of the Russian dictator, so they do not meet the criteria to obtain the status of an individual neutral athlete. The specific athletes in question are Dinara Kudaeva, Natalia Malysheva, Olga Khoroshavtseva and Irina Kurachkina (Belarus).

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

The Global Peace Summit will be attended by 92 countries, 57 of which are represented at the highest level - by Presidents or Prime Ministers
The event will also be attended by 8 international organizations.

A Swiss man who fought for Ukraine for two years was arrested https://www.blick.ch/ausland/der-zuercher-jona-neidhart-kam-extra-fuer-die-buergenstock-konferenz-nach-hause-schweizer-ukraine-soeldner-in-bern-verhaftet-id19845405.html** in Bern
According to Swiss law, Jona Neidhart faces up to three years in prison for serving in a foreign army.
He voluntarily surrendered to the Swiss police to further draw attention to Ukraine during the Peace Summit in Switzerland, which starts on June 15.

Ukraine got back 14 more children from Russia and the temporarily occupied territories
It is noted that among these rescued children are two deprived of parental care. In total, the Save Ukraine team has already returned 373 children who were deported or were under occupation to Ukraine.

Fire in Kyiv Oblast extinguished in over three days
On the morning of June 15, rescuers extinguished a fire in Kyiv Oblast after a Russian attack on the night of June 12.
Hundreds of rescuers and 4 fire trains were working there. [Still not been stated what it was, so probably rather valuable :( ]

An explosion has occurred at a gas pipeline in the Saratov region of Russia, local telegram channels report

The New York Times first published https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/15/world/europe/ukraine-russia-ceasefire-deal.html the text of a draft peace agreement that Ukrainian and Russian delegations developed in 2022. In the end, the agreement wasn’t signed.
Here are its main points:
✍🏻 Russia wanted to keep Crimea, but the fate of other territories was proposed to be decided at a personal meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
✍🏻 Moscow asked for the lifting of Ukrainian sanctions, which have been in place since 2014, and to call for the same step by Western partners.
✍🏻 The draft agreement provided for a limit on the number of Ukrainian troops and military equipment. The parties categorically disagreed on this point: Moscow wanted no more than 100,000 troops (Armed Forces + National Guard), and Kyiv wanted no less than 250,000. The parties also disagreed on the range of weapons - 40 kilometers versus 280.
✍🏻 The biggest problem was the clause on the defense of Ukraine in the event of a future attack. In this case, the guarantor countries - the United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, and France - would have to come to Ukraine's aid, but there is an interesting nuance here: Moscow wanted such assistance to be agreed upon by all guarantors. That is, Russia could have attacked Ukraine and banned the guarantors from providing support.
After that, according to a member of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Kyiv lost interest in the talks. [well you would, wouldn't you]

Western partners do not want to train too many Ukrainian pilots before the F-16 is handed over to Kyiv, so that the military does not lose skills

• *Makes some sense, once back in theatre I doubt the Ukrainian pilots will have access to all the synthetic training (simulators and similar) NATO forces increasingly use these days to keep skills at the required level, the Ukrainian pilots will have fly the actual metal to stay sharp.…

@blueshoes, here's an example of how the Ukrainians are targeting Russian EW assets.

@MissConductUS thanks for the link. Impressive. The first FPV struck one side and the second FPV turned around and struck the second side to finish the job.

Can't resist posting a link to the fly past at the King's Birthday Parade today:

https://twitter.com/RoyalAirForce/status/1801872273881600003

Aren't they beautiful

What a great link. If only Ukrainian people could look out of their windows to see these planes protecting them.

That was my thought as well. Thanks for putting it into words.

My pleasure 🌷 I hope this peace summit pays some dividends

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ China likely skipped Ukraine's peace summit https://kyivindependent.com/china-skips-ukraines-peace-summit-at-putins-request-sullivan-says/ at Putin's request, Sullivan says. "And I think that says something about where China stands with respect to Russia's war in Ukraine. I think countries should take notice of that," Sullivan said.

⚡️Zelensky: Ukraine to present action plan https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ukraine-to-present-action-plan-to-russia-at-second-peace-summit/ to Russia at second peace summit.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said at Ukraine’s global peace summit in Switzerland on June 15 that once a peace formula is decided, Ukraine will present an action plan to Russia at a second peace summit.

⚡️ Russian proposals not discussed https://kyivindependent.com/everyone-knows-putins-proposals-for-peace-in-ukraine-not-meant-seriously-scholz-says/ at Swiss peace summit, Scholz says.

⚡️ Trump threatens to cut off aid https://kyivindependent.com/trump-threatens-to-cut-off-aid-to-ukraine-prior-to-taking-white-house-as-president-elect/ to Ukraine 'prior to taking the White House as president-elect.' Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Detroit, Trump claimed he would "have that (U.S. aid to Ukraine) settled prior to taking the White House as president-elect."

⚡️ EU states won't be directly involved in $50 billion loan https://kyivindependent.com/50-billion-loan-to-ukraine-to-be-provided-by-us-uk-canada/ for Ukraine, Italian PM says, as they will instead focus on developing the guarantee mechanism, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on June 15.
"The loan of about $50 billion has already been announced (and will) be provided by the United States, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, and probably Japan, within the limits of its constitutional constraints," Meloni said at a press conference at the end of the summit.

⚡️Zelensky: Russia launches 3,500 missiles https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-russia-launches-3-500-missiles-a-month-on-civilian-targets-and-infrastructure/ a month on civilian targets, infrastructure. He referred to the KAB missiles, Russian precision-guided weapons used to strike front-line settlements. Zelensky said that the missiles are used on civilian targets to force citizens to flee cities and villages in preparation for Russian occupation.

⚡️Zelensky meets https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-meets-leaders-of-argentina-kenya-on-sidelines-of-global-peace-summit/ leaders of Argentina, Kenya on sidelines of global peace summit.

⚡️Kremlin bots spam https://kyivindependent.com/kremlin-bots-spam-internet-with-fake-celebrity-quotes-against-ukraine/ internet with fake celebrity quotes against Ukraine.
Fake quotes appeared over photos of celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Elton John, calling to end aid to Ukraine and describing European collapse.

⚡️Russia not interested (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-not-interested-in-all-for-all-pow-exchange-ukraines-ombudsman-says/ in all-for-all POW exchange, Ukraine's ombudsman says.

⚡️United Russia party secretary resigns https://kyivindependent.com/united-russia-party-secretary-resigns/ .
The move is regarded as a demotion initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who appointed Andrei Turchak earlier this month to serve as governor of the Altai Republic in southern Siberia.

⚡️ Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 3, injure 6 over past day.
⚡️Prosecutor’s Office: Russian attack in Donetsk Oblast injures 7, including 2 children.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦 @ragnarbjartur.bsky.social

• JUN 16, 2024

■ Casualties & combat engagements above 7-day average ■ Equipment losses below average but artillery well above ■ 🇷🇺 strikes below average, no data on 🇺🇦 ones this time

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Serious concerns have arisen on the Russian stock market that, following the dollar and euro, the Moscow Exchange may be forced to stop trading in the Chinese currency, the yuan, according to Reuters.
“The question is whether Chinese banks will continue to work with the exchange and the National Clearing Center after the trading platform and its structures fell under American sanctions. More likely no than yes,” said former ACI Russia President Sergei Romanchuk.
Serious concerns have arisen on the Russian stock market that, following the dollar and euro, the Moscow Exchange may be forced to stop trading in the Chinese currency, the yuan, according to Reuters.
“The question is whether Chinese banks will continue to work with the exchange and the National Clearing Center after the trading platform and its structures fell under American sanctions. More likely no than yes,” said former ACI Russia President Sergei Romanchuk.

The Communiqué of the Summit on Peace for Ukraine in Switzerland was signed by 80 countries and four organizations, according to Radio Svoboda
Notably, the document was signed by representatives of Hungary and Slovakia, whose governments have a pro-Russian position. Armenia, which declares a shift in its foreign policy from east to west, did not sign the communiqué.
Overall, more than 100 countries and international organizations are participating in the summit.

🇺🇸The American firm Amentum will provide logistics solutions to the Ukrainian defense industry.
It is about potential cooperation in the restoration and maintenance of American-made armored vehicles.
Amentum positions itself as the world's largest provider of ground and aviation equipment services to the US military.

Here are some of the most powerful quotes from the first day of the Summit on Peace for Ukraine.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

F-16s from Denmark will be delivered to Ukraine shortly - Zelensky

Reuters has published https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/world-leaders-join-ukraine-summit-test-kyivs-diplomatic-clout-2024-06-15/ a draft declaration that was developed on the first day of the Peace Summit
The document holds Russia responsible for the war in Ukraine, demands that it hand over control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine, open access to ports in the Black and Azov Seas, and give back all prisoners of war and deported children.

The Peace Summit Declaration was supported by 80 countries and 4 organizations
Earlier, Reuters published a draft declaration stating that Russia should hand over control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine, open access to ports in the Black and Azov Seas, release all Ukrainian prisoners of war, and give back children deported from Ukraine.
Among those who did not sign the declaration are Saudi Arabia, Thailand, India, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.
The picture shows the countries and organizations that supported the declaration.

🇺🇦🇨🇱 🇬🇪 On the sidelines of the Peace Summit, Volodymyr Zelensky met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili

❗️ Zelensky announced the second Peace Summit.
"We already have countries that have expressed interest in hosting the second Peace Summit, and we have begun negotiations with them," the president emphasized.

⚡️⚡️Ukrainian troops have driven Russians out of Serebryanskyi forestry near Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast
This was confirmed by the deputy commander of the Azov brigade, Svyatoslav Palamar.
◾️The Serebryanskyi Forest, also called the Kreminna Forest, is located close to the city of Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast. This forest area stretches over 10.1 hectares, up to the administrative border with Donetsk Oblast. Russia began storming this area in the fall of 2022. At that time, it became obvious that the plan for a quick and complete takeover of Ukraine had failed, so the Kremlin focused on a smaller goal - reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. That is why this forestry is so important to the Russians.
During the prolonged hostilities and incessant assaults by the Russian army, this once-protected area has turned into a scorched earth.

🏳️‍🌈For the first time since the full-scale war, the Equality March took place in Kyiv

I wonder what "shortly" means, regarding the F-16s

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-15-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Several senior Western officials made statements at the Ukraine-initiated Global Peace Summit in Switzerland that inadvertently play into ongoing Russian information operations falsely portraying Russia as interested in legitimate and good faith negotiations, likely in part due to Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to undermine the summit through his carefully planned restatement of his uncompromising demands for Ukraine's capitulation on June 14.
• Kremlin mouthpieces amplified ongoing Russian information operations intended to discredit and disrupt the Global Peace Summit.
• Ukrainian First Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Ivan Havrylyuk reported that Western military assistance has begun to arrive in Ukraine, but that Western military assistance will likely not arrive at scale and significantly impact the frontline situation for several more weeks to months.
• Chairperson of the ruling United Russia Party Dmitry Medvedev officially replaced United Russia Secretary Andrey Turchak with acting Russian Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Ural Federal District Vladimir Yakushev.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a group of trusted and Kremlin-affiliated “veterans” to assume government roles likely in an attempt to appease Russian servicemen and domestic supporters of the war in Ukraine.
• The Swedish military announced on June 15 that a Russian Su-24 tactical fighter-bomber plane temporarily violated Swedish airspace east of the southern tip of Gotland on June 14, likely as part of an effort to discourage European states from participating in NATO and other international institutions supporting Ukraine.
• Russian forces recently marginally advanced near Kupyansk and Avdiivka.
• Elements of the Russian Baltic and Pacific fleets are participating separate naval exercises.
• A Financial Times (FT) investigation published on June 12 found that Russian officials have put Ukrainian children up for adoption whom Russia had forcibly deported from occupied Ukraine to Russia in 2022.

From The Sunday Times:

The most obvious cause appears to be naked profiteering — and the fact that Russia, like Ukraine, is combing the world for the same weapons.

“Russia is much more efficient in purchasing such weapons,” Pikuzo says. “In Russia there is much more money for such purchases, Russia has a much more extensive system of its agents of influence.” He says Ukraine will often be gazumped in negotiations because Russian businessmen living in these countries will approach dealers and suppliers and provide them with huge advance payments to secure the order. The dealers know the Russians are prepared to pay, and they sell only to the highest bidder.
“The main objective of any business is to generate the maximum level of profit,” Pikuzo says. “Production is a business, intermediary services are a business, selling information is a business, selling contacts is a business.”

He says some suppliers and warehouse owners are holding back stock because they know the price will double in six months’ time. He likens it to traders operating in the financial system: “There’s a global stock exchange; this is a weapons stock exchange.”

But it is also true that some arms dealers and intermediaries are feeling the pinch, suggesting that the price hikes are happening down the supply chain.

Now assuming that's genuine, that's a useful bit of info