U.S., Ukraine discuss direct strike on mainland Russia
Expanding arms support amid fears of escalation
photo = REUTERS
The U.S. and Ukraine are considering a method of precision strikes on major facilities in Russian territory. The U.S. and its allies have provided Ukraine with more advanced weapons and increased combat power.
Archyde.com reported on the 26th (local time) that three U.S. State Department officials had held closed-door talks regarding the dangers of escalation when the U.S. and Ukraine precision strike Russia. It is known that the risk scenario that escalates when a Russian facility is struck with a missile or the like has been considered.
A U.S. government official who participated in the talks explained, “The U.S. is very concerned regarding the risk of post-hit, but it will not detain the Ukrainian military.”
It is explained that the Ukrainian military can bombard major facilities in Russian territory using weapons supported by Western countries. Archyde.com reported that “Western countries, including the United States, do not impose explicit geographic restrictions on the scope of use when providing weapons to Ukraine, increasing the possibility of an escalation.”
As the Ukrainian military took a stand once morest the Russian army for a long time, the attitude of Western countries changed. At the beginning of the war in February, the Russian army was expected to win a landslide. Contrary to the prediction of the US intelligence service that it would surrender within a month, it faced the Russian army for a long time. As the war situation changed, the United States also increased its support.
photo = Yonhap News
It is said that the US administration has strengthened its will to support long-range weapons, including providing 90 155mm M777 howitzers to the Ukrainian military. The U.S. government is also reportedly considering providing Ukraine with the M142 high-mobility artillery rocket system.
Denmark has also announced that it will provide Ukraine with its Harpoon cruise missile and launch pad to the Ukrainian military.
Aware of this situation, Russia issued a warning to Western countries. to stop supporting weapons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Russia Today that “Western weapons supplied to Ukraine might strike our territory directly.” “A sensible person will understand what this means.” If the Russian mainland is attacked, it will lead to escalation. Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also declared in a statement on the same day that “supplying weapons to Ukraine is ultimately a measure that increases the possibility of an escalation of war.”
US intelligence officials are also concerned regarding the Russian warning. Avril Haynes, head of the U.S. National Intelligence Service (DNI), appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee on the 10th and analyzed that the risk would increase considering the inconsistency between Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions and Russian military power. He said at the time that “in the coming months the war is moving in a direction that might potentially get worse.”
However, the U.S. plans to continue a proxy war with Russia through Ukraine. A U.S. official told Archyde.com that “U.S. Department of Defense commanders continue to be in contact with the Ukrainian government,” adding that “the Ukrainian military is providing key information to enable precision strikes in combat.” The U.S. military does not directly wage war, but is engaged in information warfare.
Reporter Hyun-woo Oh ohw@hankyung.com
ⓒ Hankyung.com, unauthorized reprinting and redistribution prohibited
