Ukraine's Battlefield Victories Made Possible By the United States – But Is a Larger War Looming?

While virtually all Americans support freedom for all people in the world, the war in Ukraine has not been without controversy.  It seems most people in the United States support the arming and training of Ukrainian military forces. Giving Ukraine the ability to fight for its own freedom is preferable to sending U.S. troops. However, there are some who question our involvement in another war in Europe.  The collective recollection of World Wars I and II, and the cloud of threats under which three generations lived in the Cold War, gives pause to many patriotic Americans.  The United States, a defender of freedom since its birth, has been drawn into multiple deadly wars — including two wars in Europe.  We understand both points of view.

Some also question the billions of dollars in aid being sent to Ukraine in light of inflation and other difficulties facing the average American.

However, it is encouraging to see Ukraine winning the war against the vicious tyrant, Vladimir Putin — at least for now.  Ukrainian forces are liberating cities and areas that have been occupied by Russian forces.  Some Russian units, even their most valiant and battle-hardened, have been in full retreat.  Russian casualties are high and the people in Russia have begun protesting the unprovoked war and the unnecessary loss of life.  Putin’s repeated firing and hiring of senior military leaders does not evoke confidence among the troops or the Russian people.

Ukraine’s victories in this war are made possible by the United States.  While our allies have supported the Ukrainian’s fight at various levels, especially the UK, for which we are grateful — no nation has offered the equipment and required training for battlefield success like the United States.  Here is only a partial list of weapons and equipment the U.S. has sent to Ukraine.  The list includes materials in a new $625 million package announced this week that is in process of transport to Ukraine.

• Over 700 Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); it is called a suicide drone.
• 38 HIMARS advanced artillery rocket systems, enabling Ukraine to launch counter-battery fire when attacked by Russian artillery.
• 500 M982 Excalibur precision-guided rounds
• 20 Mi-17 helicopters.  These Russian-made helicopters were designated for Afghanistan but are now sent to Ukraine.
• 164 howitzer artillery systems.
• Almost 500 armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers
• 200 MRAPs, the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles
• Over 10,000 grenade launchers and small arms and 260,000 rounds of ammunition
• C-4 explosives and numerous Claymore anti-personnel mines
• Numerous coastal defense vessels, missiles, and radar systems

This is only a small portion of a long list of equipment that also includes body armor, helmets, electronic equipment, medical supplies, and much more.  Ukraine has some of the latest weapons and equipment from the United States, which is the world’s most powerful and technologically advanced military.  At this point, Ukraine owes their survival and independence to America.

For all of us, there is legitimate concern over the war in Ukraine widening—even an escalation to a World War III.  This worry is exacerbated by Vladimir Putin’s threat to use nuclear weapons.  Putin’s threat is real and must be taken seriously.  His reckless rhetoric is even more troublesome because two Russian leaders agree with Putin and have echoed his threats. Former Russian Dmitry President Medvedev, who is the chairman of Russia’s Security Council, just stated that the use of a tactical nuclear weapon could be warranted.  This view is openly shared by the head of the Chechen area of Russia, Ramzan Kadyrov, who actually said low-yield nuclear weapons should be used in Ukraine.  Once a nuclear weapon is used, there is no way to predict where this conflict will go and what the actions and reactions of the nations involved will be.

Some intelligence professionals are concerned over a video showing a train traveling through Russia that originated from a directorate that is responsible for Russia’s nuclear weapons programs—including the storage, maintenance, transport, and issuing tactical nuclear weapons to units.  No one knows exactly what is inside the train; vehicles are on the flatbed cars.  It could be a training exercise.  It could be on the way to Ukraine.  Its purpose is uncertain.

Russia recently launched the world’s largest nuclear submarine.  The Belgorod is 600-feet long and designed to carry the Poseidon nuclear torpedo drone.  Russia claims this underwater weapon could trigger 1,600-foot tsunamis that would destroy coastal cities from hundreds of miles away and make them uninhabitable for decades.  This submarine just left its base in the Arctic Circle—destination unknown.

The bottom line is we are on the brink of the most dangerous international crisis since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.  This statement is not meant to be alarmist.  It is a call for some measured alarm and for cooler heads to prevail.  It is a time to pray for peace.  NATO is treaty-bound to defend all its members.  Ukraine is not a member of NATO.  But in order for Europe not to live under nuclear blackmail, Ukraine needs to win this war.

Putin’s rhetoric, his aggressive ambitions, and his hatred of countries that promote democracy and basic human rights is reminiscent of other violent and unpredictable men.  The list includes Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Imperial Japan’s Hideki Tojo, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini, and Osama bin Laden, among other monsters personifying evil in human history.  Vladimir Putin, like the men on this list, is a reminder that evil is real and that the world is regularly called upon to stand against such evil in the name of unified decency and respect for human life and freedom.

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