Retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges criticized the policy that prohibits Ukraine from striking military targets inside Russia with long-range weapons, such as ATACMS missiles, stating that this lack of clearly defined objectives hinders the West’s support for Ukraine’s war effort. Despite Ukraine’s pleas to lift the ban on the use of long-range weapons, the White House has maintained its position, citing concerns about escalating the conflict. Hodges emphasized the importance of clearly defining objectives and allowing Ukraine to bring the war to Russian territory in order to help them prevail in the conflict. The ongoing incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast has brought attention to the limitations of Russia’s capabilities, dispelling the myth that Russia is inevitably going to win.
Karel Rehka, chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, echoed Hodges’ sentiment by stating that if the West wants Ukrainians to succeed, they must allow them to take the fight to Russian territory. The ongoing Kursk incursion has demonstrated that Russia is at the limit of its capabilities, forcing them to make strategic decisions about where to allocate their resources. Former U.S. ambassador to NATO, Kurt Volker, highlighted that Russia cannot attack Ukraine and defend its own territory simultaneously, indicating that they have had to prioritize their actions. Western countries have mostly supported Ukraine in the Kursk incursion, but the U.S. and the U.K. have maintained restrictions on the use of long-range missiles like ATACMS or Storm Shadow, despite calls from U.S. politicians to lift these restrictions.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has raised questions about the effectiveness of current policies and strategies in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to resist Russian aggression. Hodges criticized the lack of a clearly defined objective, stating that the West must be more proactive in supporting Ukraine and allowing them to target military assets inside Russia. The refusal to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons has been a point of contention, with Ukraine arguing that these limitations are hindering their ability to effectively combat Russian forces. The Kursk incursion has highlighted the limitations of Russia’s capabilities and forced them to make strategic decisions about their military operations.
Despite the challenges and limitations, the support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia remains strong among Western countries. The ongoing incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast has demonstrated Ukraine’s determination and resilience in the face of Russian aggression. The refusal to allow Ukraine to use certain long-range weapons has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current policies and strategies in supporting Ukraine’s war effort. However, the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian forces, as well as the support from Western allies, continue to be sources of hope and inspiration in the ongoing conflict.
The debate over whether to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia highlights the complexities and challenges of supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The lack of a clearly defined objective and the limitations on Ukraine’s ability to target military assets inside Russia have been points of contention. However, the ongoing Kursk incursion has demonstrated that Russia is not invincible and has limitations in its military capabilities. Moving forward, it will be important for Western countries to reassess their policies and strategies to ensure that they are effectively supporting Ukraine in its efforts to resist Russian aggression.
