8/27: Ukraine News Round-up
AP: The US is sending $125 million in new military aid to Ukraine, officials say
On one hand, it is great to see the Biden Administration continue its support of Ukraine and continue to send military aid. This is a stark contrast to response of the Obama Administration at outset of the war in 2014 when no military aid and no defensive weapons were sent and Obama walked away from the Budapest Memorandum.
On the other hand, there is legitimate criticism to the Biden Administration slow-walking military aid. Congress passed the Ukraine Security Supplement Act in April authorizing $61bln to Ukraine. It is a fair question to ask why it is being sent over in drips and with delays.
There is continued advocacy work to be done to ensure that all weapons and military aid is given to Ukraine without delay.
Time: The Drone Wars: How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Battle of the Black Sea
Extended article by Simon Shuster about Ukraine’s destruction of the Russian Black Sea fleet. The story of Ukrainian ingenuity is impressive: “Produced at a cost of around $200,000 apiece, the weapons have damaged or destroyed about two dozen Russian warships—as much as a third of the Black Sea fleet, including large landing ships and missile carriers worth billions of dollars.”
Steven Moore of the Ukraine Freedom Project wisely points out that America is not taking advantages of Ukrainian advances in drone technology.
“Ukraine is one of three countries currently leading the world in drone warfare, and the only US ally. The other two leaders are China and Russia. Iran is leading in long-range drones, “
Another key point that emerged: the only thing that stopped Russian indiscriminate bombing of Odesa and stopping all exports was Ukrainian counterattacks which reduced Russian capabilities to bomb civilians.
While the Russian fleet has retreated from the Black Sea, it still continues to bomb Ukraine from airfields within Russia.
NYTimes: Russian continues to bomb civilians and civilian infrastructure
Over 200 missiles launched into Ukraine in one of the biggest attacks of the war. More civilians died. More energy infrastructure destroyed. The Biden Administration still limits Ukraine’s ability to counter-attack and stop the destruction.
FT: Ukraine has crossed Moscow’s and Washington’s red lines
An editorial by a FT opinion writer who highlights how the invasion of Kursk has crossed the last of many red lines drawn by Moscow.