The Ukrainian counteroffensive launched against Moscow’s invasion in June has encountered significant obstacles. Despite receiving weapons and equipment from Western allies, including tanks and artillery, the Ukrainian forces have struggled to make substantial progress. This situation has raised questions about what else is needed to achieve success.
According to Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the Ukrainian forces are facing an incredibly challenging situation, comparable to World War I with the use of drones. He emphasizes that achieving results quickly is unrealistic when confronting a military like Russia.
One major issue for the Ukrainian forces has been the extensive use of land mines by Russia. These explosive devices, including ones designed to target troops and armored vehicles, have impeded the Ukrainian advance. The Russian ability to lay mines with specialized artillery has made it difficult to keep cleared lanes open for Ukrainian forces.
Dmitri Alperovitch, executive chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator and co-founder of CrowdStrike, highlights that this challenge would be significant for any force without full access to Western capabilities.
Many in Kyiv have advocated for the introduction of Western fighter jets, specifically mentioning the F-16, to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force. Despite facing an overwhelming advantage in air power on paper, the Ukrainian Air Force has managed to continue flying and fighting. The presence of these fighter jets would also relieve pressure on air defense forces, which primarily rely on older Soviet surface-to-air missile systems that pose resupply challenges. However, it is important to note that such a move would not instantly change the course of the conflict, as it would require months or even years of training to maximize the potential of these sophisticated jets.
Mick Ryan, a retired major general of the Australian army and adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasizes that these weapons are not magical solutions. A combination of different weapons systems, proficient operators, and collective combined arms training is necessary to achieve a war-winning capability.
Ultimately, the question remains whether additional high-value U.S.-made weapons such as F-16s, the Patriot missile system, and HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) can effectively alter the situation in Ukraine. For more insights, please watch the video above.
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