Excited by the latest speed and scale Military victories In Kharkiv, Ukrainian policymakers have intensified the message that Russia can be defeated on the battlefield, calling on allies to send more and more sophisticated weapons.
One of Volodymyr Zelensky’s top advisers, Mykhailo Podoliak, who once led a Ukrainian delegation to peace talks with Moscow, even published a list of items needed to “speed up the war and get Russia out of Ukraine.” Kiev also has several rocket launcher systems (MLRS), tanks and armored vehicles, defensive anti-aircraft systems and Drones.
The US approved This week Another weapons package is being sent to Ukraine, including missile systems Himars and medium-range missiles. Zelensky, however, has been pressing Biden administration officials to provide the country with long-range missiles, known as ATACMS.
It is a type of satellite guided missile that can hit targets at a distance of 300 kilometers. If it is sent to Ukraine and used on the war front, its action extends to the Russian border.
The US President has reservations about exporting this weapon The New York Times, would have asked the Pentagon about how effective long-range missiles would be in a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Experts would have replied that the benefits would be minimal.
When he decided to deliver the Himars to Kiev in June, Joe Biden insisted Write an essay The paper also assured Russia that it would “not encourage or allow Ukraine to fire beyond its borders.” The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against considering the use of long-range weapons direct interference At war in the United States, unpredictable frontiers open the way to retaliation.
Ukrainian authorities have said the weapons do not intend to hit targets on the Russian border and have not claimed responsibility for any attack in the Belgorod region of Kharkiv, which is closest to the Ukrainian border.
Misunderstanding in Belgorod
But in this Russian region, explosions have become increasingly frequent and at least two people died in attacks on military targets between Friday and Saturday. The regional governor ordered an inspection of all bomb shelters and suspended face-to-face classes. In areas near Belgorod, barricades are being built.
Citizens in the border region have reacted with disbelief and fear to the return of soldiers who had left Kharkiv. There are rumors among the people that the Ukrainian army may invade that part of Russia. “Everyone is worried about chaos. There were very strong eruptions yesterday,” he said Country A resident of Shebekino, less than 10 kilometers from the border.
And who are the Ukrainians in despair? cooperated During the months of occupation he fled to Belgorod fearing reprisals with the Russian administration. “We feel a lot of uncertainty, we don’t understand anything about what’s going on,” one of them said. Wall Street Journal. “People believed the Russians when they said they wouldn’t leave us,” said another.
In the regional capital, many do not approve of speaking to Western – or Russian – media, testifying The Moscow Times – But there are critics of the strategy and actions of Russian troops in Kharkiv. “People lived in fear. There is no communication and they are unable to communicate and talk with family members. Then came desperation and poverty,” one analysed. “Residents quickly accepted the return of Ukrainians, as they did not restore normal living conditions.”
at close relationships The cross border is large. A Russian woman said Guardian Lives with her daughter in Belgorod, where she is from, and her ex-husband and child’s father is Ukrainian and lives in Kharkiv. He was called to fight for Ukraine. “I lost my temper and said very mean things to her,” she admits. “Anything can happen. I want to save my daughter’s father,” he said.
“I don’t understand our president’s policy,” says the interlocutor Country. “It was only his decision to enter Ukraine. It’s incomprehensible. Everyone was living as usual, from home to work, from work to home. Suddenly, it was… bam, bam, bam,” he laments.
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