Latest reports on Russia-Ukraine war indicate that US has decided to intervene by shipping artillery to Ukraine with an aim to degrade/destroy Russian firepower. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and military experts have commented on the move by the US sending artillery to bolster Ukraine defense as not only a short-term or immediate but a long-term move on taming Russia.
The US alongside other allies such as France, Czech Republic are sending a number of the long-range howitzers to back Ukraine blunt Russia’s mounting offensive especially in the eastern Donbas region. Ukraine has received enormous support from allies, backed by better air defense, attack drones, and Western intelligence, the concerted efforts are aimed at stopping Russia’s firepower in the looming showdown.
Despite a show of military might, Russia has already lost a lot of military capability as well as its troops. According to Ukraine Defense Chiefs who had met in Kyiv, the concerted efforts are aimed at stemming down Russia’s capability and making sure that they will not be able to very quickly reproduce that capability. “We want to see Russia weakened to the degree that it can’t do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine” according to one Ukrainian military chief.
Seven more howitzers are being prepared along with their tow vehicles and will soon be in Ukraine, a senior U.S. defense official said. The U.S. is also looking for more training sites for Ukrainian troops in Europe. Ukrainian troops will also need to be trained on U.S. Phoenix Ghost drones. The U.S. is now focused on getting Ukraine more artillery and tactical drones after sending another $322 million in military aid for the less urban, more open Donbas fight.
“We’re focusing them on getting them artillery as well as tactical UAVs,” the senior US defense official further added.
