Waiting for the weapons to roll in

Ukraine is waiting for the aid package.

There is no other way to say it – the situation in Ukraine is worsening, and the need for timely U.S. weapon deliveries has become even more urgent.

For some time now, the Ukrainians were fighting with limited ammo and manpower - they tried to put on a good face for a bad game – but their endurance runs out as the pressure from the Russian invader increases. Recently, there were heavy strikes in the city of Odessa where Russian forces targeted civilian infrastructure, emphasizing the critical need for air defense systems. The most illustrative example of this barbarism came on Monday with the destruction of the famous „Harry Potter Castle” in a strike with a ballistic missile with cluster munitions that killed 5 and wounded several dozen.

Oleksandr Syrsky, the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, shared in a Facebook post last Sunday that the situation at the frontline is getting tougher. Russian troops are making gains, especially in the eastern Donetsk region. As ISW reports, the Russian military efforts are focusing on bolstering their offensive capabilities by redeploying the 76th and 7th airborne divisions from Zaporizhia Oblast to eastern Ukraine. This strategic shift aims to strengthen Russian forces in the Donetsk Oblast. These movements are part of a broader plan to exploit the current vulnerabilities before significant American military aid reaches Ukrainian forces. The redeployment signals a potentially intensified phase of Russian operations, aiming for operationally significant gains that could further challenge Ukrainian defenses.

Additionally, Russia's alleged use of chemical weapons, including chloropicrin, against Ukrainian forces shows the extreme measures Russia is taking. The U.S. has confirmed these instances and already imposed sanctions, which straight off the bat points out how serious these violations are.

On the diplomatic side, French President Emmanuel Macron has mentioned he might send NATO troops if things get worse. This shows how serious the situation could become and that it might affect the whole of Europe if Russia isn't stopped. Especially taking into account Macron’s first efforts to „end the conflict”. The Embarrassing phone calls to the war criminal Vladimir Putin, which essentially showed how much the Kremlin ruler despises Western leaders. Apparently, Macron must have received information from his intelligence services that finally made him realize how dangerous the situation was. The humiliation he experienced from Putin certainly must play a role in his current „hawkish” position.

Regarding the ATACMS strikes in Crimea, there are reports suggesting that these powerful U.S. missiles might have already been delivered. These strikes targeted Russian air defenses and could change the fight in Ukraine's favor if confirmed. Although Russia claims they shot down the missiles, reports of damage and casualties tell a different story.

The delivery of these advanced U.S. weapons, like the ATACMS, is crucial. They're not just weapons; they're a lifeline for Ukraine, helping them defend themselves and potentially push back against Russian advances. The importance of getting these weapons to Ukraine quickly cannot be stressed enough. Each day without this help means Ukraine is losing more than just land and soldiers; they are losing their ability to resist a powerful enemy.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it's vital for the international community, especially the U.S., to speed up their support. Providing advanced weapons like the ATACMS and much needed munitions could potentially change the course of the war, giving Ukraine a real chance to maintain its independence and stop Putler in his tracks.