Despite clear warnings from the United States to refrain from conducting drone strikes inside Russian territory, Ukraine has persisted in its aerial campaign targeting key Russian industrial sites. Reports suggest that Ukraine’s determination to press forward with these operations is unwavering, even in the face of potential international repercussions and the risk of escalation.
The Economist reported on April 18 that Ukraine has developed drones with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, sufficient to hit targets as far-flung as Siberia. U.S. officials have voiced concerns, particularly about strikes on Russian oil refineries, which have implications for global energy markets. One U.S. official said, “So far, Ukraine is ignoring American advice to call off the strikes.”
This brazen approach is backed by a report from an unnamed Ukrainian intelligence officer who indicated that, despite a recent reduction in attacks on oil refineries, the strategy is fluid and designed to keep Russian forces unbalanced. “Our targets change day to day; we keep the Russians on their toes,” the source revealed. Furthermore, a Ukrainian drone manufacturer claimed some U.S. officials are privately supportive of strikes on Russian industrial output, signaling a split in the official stance. “They’re privately telling us to keep going,” the manufacturer stated.
The rationale for these strikes is rooted in a tit-for-tat strategy, with a source from Kyiv quoted as saying, “Russia is scorching Ukrainian land; it’s time we did the same to the European [part of] Russia.”
Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that the stalling of U.S. military aid to Ukraine could be linked to Ukraine’s escalating offensives against Russian infrastructure. According to the ISW, Ukrainian military capabilities in eastern Ukraine have been degraded, but Russia is making gains in the field by exploiting the current lack of U.S. security assistance.
In a comparative perspective, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has observed the robust allied response to protect Israel from an Iranian drone and missile strike, where U.S., British, French, and Jordanian forces swiftly intervened. Zelensky highlighted the disparity in support for Ukraine, stating, “‘Shaheds’ [Iranian drones] in the skies above Ukraine sound identical to those over the Middle East. The impact of ballistic missiles, if they are not intercepted, is the same everywhere.”
He further argued for equal protective measures, saying, “European skies could have received the same level of protection long ago if Ukraine had received similar full support from its partners in intercepting drones and missiles.”
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine is ignoring US warnings to end drone operations inside Russia
– Ukraine defies US warnings against striking Russian industry — report, Yahoo Singapore News, Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:40:01 GMT
– Ukraine war updates: Russia fends off drone, missile and ‘balloon’ attack; Ukraine says it deserves same support as Israel, CNBC, Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:04:00 GMT
– Russia ‘Capitalizing’ in War as U.S. Aid to Ukraine Continues to Stall: ISW, Newsweek, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:39:05 GMT