The Biden administration, along with the prior Congress, has decided to withhold a critical shipment of weapons that were slated for Ukraine as it faces intensified military action from Russia.
This development is particularly concerning as Russia has recently made territorial advances in Ukraine, launching relentless missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and military installations.
The array of weaponry that the U.S. will not be sending includes advanced systems such as Patriot air defense missiles, 155-millimeter artillery rounds, GMLRS missiles that are used with multiple-launch rocket systems, and surface-to-air Stinger missiles.
Additionally, the weapons not being sent encompass missiles that are deployed by fighter jets, namely the AIM-7 and Hellfire missiles.
According to Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly, this decision stems from a review conducted by the Department of Defense, which assessed the U.S. military’s readiness capacity in relation to its support for foreign nations.
Kelly stated, “This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a Department of Defense review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe. The strength of the United States armed forces remains unquestioned. Just ask Iran.”
A U.S. official elaborated further on the rationale behind the decision, highlighting concerns that providing these weapons to Ukraine could undermine the United States’ ability to respond to any future military challenges, particularly involving China.
Ukrainian officials have refrained from commenting publicly on this matter, although they have consistently emphasized the importance of air defense capabilities, particularly Patriot missiles, to protect vital infrastructure and civilian populations from ongoing Russian assaults.
There has been a significant uptick in Russian drone attacks, with reports indicating over 5,400 drone strikes in the month of June alone.
Furthermore, recent findings from the United Nations revealed a 37 percent increase in civilian casualties over the past six months, underscoring the dire humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The weapon stipulations will also hinder Ukraine’s offensive capabilities.
The GMLRS system, for example, provides Ukraine with the ability to strike Russian troop concentrations and key military targets up to 40 miles away.
Major General David Baldwin, a retired U.S. National Guard officer who has been involved in training Ukrainian troops since prior to the full-scale invasion, highlighted the tactical implications of not providing these systems.
Baldwin noted, “The United States not sending those particular weapons systems will have a tactical effect on the battlefield.
But, really, the effect is more on the will and morale of the Ukrainian people. If you want to negotiate a peace settlement, it’s always better to negotiate from a position of strength.”
This position of strength, he argues, comes from sustained military support from the United States and its allies, which can help Ukraine continue its resistance against what Baldwin termed illegal aggression.
Over the past few months, Russia has reported gaining approximately 360 square miles of territory within Ukraine, roughly comparable to the size of Indianapolis.
Pro-Russian officials have claimed the capture of the Luhansk region and much of Eastern Ukraine, however, such assertions are not widely accepted by external observers.
It is clear, nonetheless, that Russia has been making significant territorial gains in that region, with recent captures in southern Ukraine including the village of Dnipropetrovsk.
Adding to the intensity of the situation, Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops in the northeastern region near Sumy.
Despite these pressures and ongoing Russian offensives, analysts suggest that Ukraine continues to hold its ground.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian officials have issued warnings that any further reductions in military support could significantly impair their ability to sustain this defense, especially in regard to air defense resources.
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