US: Deep Strikes in Russia Not a Game-Changer Following Zelenskiy’s Plea, Reports Reuters

By Phil Stewart and Sabine Siebold

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized on Friday that there is “no single capability” that will decisively alter the course of the war in Ukraine, following President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s call for Western nations to enable his forces to utilize long-range weapons against Russia.

During a meeting of Ukraine’s allies at Ramstein U.S. Air Base, Zelenskiy reiterated his appeal for additional long-range missiles from Western countries and the lifting of restrictions on their use to target Russian infrastructure, including airbases.

Austin confirmed that the U.S. and its allies remain committed to providing robust support to Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, announcing an additional $250 million in security assistance from the U.S.

However, in response to questions from reporters, the Pentagon chief cautioned against the belief that deep strikes into Russia using Western weapons would be transformative. He noted that Russia has already repositioned aircraft capable of launching glide bombs out of reach from U.S.-supplied ATACM missiles.

“There’s no single capability that will in and of itself be decisive in this campaign,” Austin stated after the meeting.

He also highlighted that Ukraine possesses its own capabilities, such as drones, to strike targets within Russia that are out of reach for ATACM and British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.

“There are numerous targets in Russia – it’s a vast country,” Austin remarked. “Ukraine has considerable UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) capabilities and other assets to address those targets.”

In addition to U.S. support, Germany announced it would deliver 12 extra self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, while Canada plans to supply over 80,000 surplus small unarmed air-to-surface rockets along with 1,300 warheads in the forthcoming months.

Zelenskiy attended the Ramstein meeting at a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict, which is now more than two and a half years old. Ukrainian forces have launched a surprise offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, even as Russian troops concentrate on capturing the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, a key logistical hub for Kyiv.

“We need to establish this long-range capability not only on occupied Ukrainian territory but also within Russia to compel Russia to pursue peace,” Zelenskiy asserted, garnering support from several countries, including the Baltic states of Lithuania and Estonia.

Zelenskiy has consistently pushed back against allied nations that have provided long-range weaponry yet restricted its use deep within Russia, fearful of escalating tensions with President Vladimir Putin. During his Ramstein address, he exclaimed, “Russia’s attempts to draw red lines simply do not work.”

The discussions in Germany are occurring as Americans gear up for a presidential election in November, which could have significant repercussions for Ukraine. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine, while former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, has claimed he will swiftly resolve the Ukraine war upon taking office, possibly requiring territorial concessions from Kyiv. Trump, along with many of his supporters, has expressed skepticism regarding the billions of dollars in aid that the Biden administration has allocated to Ukraine’s military efforts.

At Ramstein, Austin provided statistics on the war’s impact on Russian forces, estimating over 350,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured. He noted that Ukrainian forces have sunk, destroyed, or damaged 32 Russian Navy vessels, pushing the Russian Black Sea Fleet further east.

Zelenskiy reported that approximately 6,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the recent offensive in Kursk, stating, “Today we control over 1,300 square kilometers in the Kursk region, including 100 settlements,” and emphasized that much of that area has been abandoned by Russian troops.

Meanwhile, Moscow has intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, leading to some of the most significant assaults since its invasion began in February 2022. Zelenskiy remarked, “The number of air defense systems that have not yet been delivered is significant.”