If Ukraine had ATACMS, the Russian Black Sea Fleet would no longer exist - Hodges
The British long-range Storm Shadow missiles will enable Kyiv to strike Russian bases in the illegally occupied Crimea.
Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. forces in Europe, believes that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will likely use these weapons only to liberate their own territories, not on internationally recognized Russian territory. He said this in a commentary for Voice of America.
According to him, he is outraged by the fact that the United States has not yet provided Kyiv with the same weapon - ATACMS.
- "If Ukraine had ATACMS, the Black Sea Fleet (of the Russian Federation) would no longer exist," he said.
He said the Biden administration has not yet clearly defined the strategic outcome it wants to achieve. He criticized that Washington has not clearly said that it wants Ukraine to win.
- You know, they say things like we will support them (Ukrainians - Ed.) as long as it takes, which, of course, are empty words. I think it's because we continue to make incremental decisions about what we provide, and de facto it gives Russia a safe place in Crimea because we haven't helped Ukraine with their ability to strike Crimea," Hodges said.
According to him, the military assistance requested by Ukraine and not yet received from Western allies could help achieve success in liberating the territories temporarily occupied by Russian forces faster and with fewer casualties.
- You know, they say things like we will support them as long as it takes, which of course is empty words. I think it's because we continue to make incremental decisions about what we provide, and de facto it gives Russia a safe place in Crimea because we haven't helped Ukraine with their ability to hit Crimea," Hodges said.
According to him, the military assistance requested by Ukraine and not yet received from Western allies could help achieve success in liberating the territories temporarily occupied by Russian forces faster and with fewer casualties.
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