8/19: Biden Admin puts the brakes on Ukraine military
The Times: US blocks Ukraine from firing British missiles into Russia
The Biden administration continues to limit Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against the Russian invasion. According to the article, the UK requested approval from the US to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia.
Going further, it seems plausible that the ground incursion into Kursk was partially in response to the limitation by the Biden administration to Ukraine using missiles against Russia.
So far, the incursion is going well, but these artificial limits on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself can only put roadblocks on the road to victory.
Tragically, the Russians face no limitations on launching cruise missles at Ukrainian civilians: (NY Post: Russia bombs Sumy after Ukrainian forces destroy crucial bridge in Kursk region)
The Hill battles itself:
The Hill news room reported today on Ukraine’s success on the battlefield in Kursk: Ukraine’s foothold in Kursk ‘getting stronger,’ aims to create buffer zone there: Zelensky
According to latest reports, a 3rd bridge is now destroyed in Kursk.
The Hill editorial page ignored this news and published an opinion piece entitled The Kursk Offensive is Huge Strategic Error by Andrew Latham.
Quick bio check: Mr Latham is not a Military Strategist, but a Professor of International Relations. According to his bio, his research project on medieval political theory, which culminated in his most recent book, Medieval Sovereignty. He is currently working on a book provisionally entitled China’s Grand Strategy: A History, 1950-2050.
He also wrote an editorial in Feb in the Hill which included this line: In short, Russia is winning the war.
This editorial makes some bold, unsourced claims: “This reckless gambit, more akin to a desperate stunt worthy of a second-rate actor than a seasoned statesman” as well as faux worry for Ukrainians “The Ukrainian people deserve leadership focused on practical, achievable objectives, not on grandstanding gestures.”
The crux of the argument comes in the 9th paragraph, “A prolonged incursion into Russia could escalate the conflict.”
No doubt, the incursion could escalate the crisis, but so long as Russia continues to wantonly bomb Ukrainian cities and the United States limits Ukraine’s ability to retaliate against Russia’s military targets with missiles, the Ukrainian invasion into Kursk seems like the best option to end the war and ensure Ukrainian victory.