fbpx

U.S. Sends Offensive Weaponry to Ukraine

U.S. Sends Offensive Weaponry to Ukraine
A Ukrainian service member holds a Javelin missile system at a position on the front line in the north Kyiv region | Image by Gleb Garanich/REUTERS

Reports of a recent shift from more defensive to more offensive weapon systems shipped from the U.S. to Ukraine come amid an ongoing debate in Washington, D.C. between those advocating for further spending on Ukraine’s military capabilities and others wanting greater oversight over the use of taxpayer dollars.

On one side, former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Bob Gates called for “an increase in military supplies and capability” in a Washington Post op-ed published on Sunday.

Mobile armor — such as Bradley Fighting Vehicles — was highlighted as a critical capability that Ukrainian forces would require to repel Russian attacks and push their forces back.

On the other side, the Republican-led House is less enthusiastic about providing further military aid to Ukraine, CNN reported.

Some members of Congress have long advocated for greater oversight over U.S. aid to the nation, specifically the large number of weapons and equipment flowing into Kyiv. Some have objected to specific “high-value” weapon packages for fear that they, for instance, might end up on the black market.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is among the most prominent legislators objecting to large-scale aid packages for Ukraine.

“My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation,” he said last May. “We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the U.S. economy.”

Despite such objections, according to two senior U.S. officials, there has been a “substantive change” in the type of weaponry provided to Ukraine by the U.S. and its allies to meet Kyiv’s requests for firepower.

According to one of the officials, the latest aid announcement from the U.S. included more offensive weapons, such as Bradley Fighting Vehicles and advanced long-range rocket systems, reflecting the nature of the battlefield in eastern Ukraine and a belief that Ukraine has a window of opportunity to reclaim territory before Russia regroups.

One U.S. official also stated that Ukraine has followed the rules regarding how it can use the weapons provided by the West thus far — namely, to not strike within Russia. As a result, the U.S. was less hesitant to send more powerful systems.

The Ukrainians are developing and implementing their own strategy, and the U.S. actions are intended to support that strategy and meet their needs on the battlefield, officials told CNN.

The announcement last week that Bradleys, dubbed a “tank killer” by officials, would be provided was the largest military aid announcement since the war began.

“We are positioning Ukraine to move forward and retake territory,” said Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Laura Cooper of the pivot on Friday.

Other changes in the aid packages sent to Ukraine include advanced longer-range missile defense systems, such as the Patriot missile system.

The U.S. has also supplied HIMARS, or High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which Ukraine recently used in a strike against Russia in occupied Makiivka that left many dead, as The Dallas Express reported last week.

The U.S. and its allies believe that expanding Ukrainian offensive operations now is key to retaking Russian-occupied territory given that, as Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder affirmed, one of Russia’s weaknesses is its inability to defend the territory it has taken.

Support our non-profit journalism

2 Comments

  1. Wayne Greer

    Rand Paul if you don’t know why the US. IS SUPORTING UKRAINE. I am a US citizen from Kentucky And I know why I didn’t vote for you. If we don’t take care of this know without boots on the soil. Put in may be at your back door rapping, killing yor family We send UKRAINE what it takes to finish the job . The quicker the less expensive. Thanks Wayne Greer

    Reply
  2. Djea3

    Russia on at least TWO occasions has threatened the USA with NUCLEAR ATTACK over Ukraine. The most rational instantaneous response should have been directly to Russia without reserve:

    “Russia, your expansionist days are over and the WORLD will not accept Nuclear threats against it by you. You will stand down in Ukraine or pay the price internationally.”

    Then the USA should have QUIETLY brought battlefield nukes into the picture in Ukraine in preparation of ending the conflict INSTANTLY, and defending against possible nuclear attack and attack on nuclear facilities that has now happened.

    Millions have died and been wounded. Women and Children have been Massacred by Russia in cities and towns. Entire villages massacred and wiped from the map by Russia.

    Russia is NO LONGER a regime run by HUMANS at all. Time to respond accordingly.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Continue reading on the app
Expand article