Ukraine is intending to bolster its long-range attacks on Russian territory as the influx of Western military aid aims to assist Kyiv in waging war with much stronger means, according to the head of the British Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
According to him, Ukraine's defense is set unfavorably, acknowledging that the country faces a tough fight against advancing Russian forces. However, Radakin emphasized that such a gloomy analysis of the war does not take into account longer-term trends favoring Kyiv.
He noted recent packages of military aid from the US and Europe, increasingly successful long-range strikes by Ukraine, and Moscow's complete failure in attempting to block Kyiv's vital grain exports through the Black Sea.
"The danger with any snapshot is that it [ignores] where we are now with where we will be in next couple of years," Radakin said, adding people should stop "feting Russia" and believing it "somehow has got major advantages".
During an almost six-month hiatus due to American financing of Kyiv, which only ended this week, Russian forces continued to strike Ukraine with heavy artillery, missiles, and drones, achieving some limited territorial successes.
US aid to Ukraine
Since autumn 2023, the passage of a bill on aid to Ukraine in the US Congress has been delayed due to disagreements among Republican Party members. However, American politicians recently reached a compromise, and the bill was brought to a vote. On April 24, 2024, it was signed by President Joe Biden.
In his speech, President Biden announced the provision of a new $1 billion military aid package to Ukraine. This package includes ammunition for artillery and missiles for air defense systems.
Presented by House Speaker Mike Johnson, the bill provides for $60.84 billion in direct aid to Ukraine and funds to cover associated expenses. More details on what Kyiv will receive can be found in RBC-Ukraine's report.
