Arming Ukraine with Long-Range Weapons: Key to Defeating Russia, Says CIA Chief

Former CIA Station Chief Dan Hoffman believes Ukraine can prevail in the conflict against Russia if provided with long-range weapons. This move would enable Ukraine to strike deeper within Russia's territory, deterring further attacks and compelling Moscow to negotiate.

Amidst ongoing Russian missile strikes targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded with Western allies to lift restrictions on the use of U.S.-provided weapons. Zelenskyy believes that allowing Ukrainian forces to strike targets deeper inside Russia would significantly enhance their defense capabilities and deter further attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Russia's large-scale missile strikes on Monday, August 26, 2024, marked the most significant attack since the start of the war. The strikes targeted 15 regions across Ukraine, killing five people and injuring many others. Primary targets included key energy infrastructure, leaving vast areas without electricity, heat, and water.

Arming Ukraine with Long-Range Weapons: Key to Defeating Russia, Says CIA Chief

Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi assessed that Russia redeployed approximately 30,000 servicemen to the Kursk front in response to Ukraine's incursion into the region. He stated that Ukrainian forces had captured over 590 Russian soldiers and 100 settlements during the operation.

The Ukrainian invasion of Kursk Oblast breached Russia's border for the first time since World War II. Military analysts believe the move was intended to divert Russian attention from other sectors where Ukraine was preparing for counterattacks.

Arming Ukraine with Long-Range Weapons: Key to Defeating Russia, Says CIA Chief

US President Joe Biden denounced Russia's attacks as "outrageous" and pledged support for Ukraine's energy grid. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticized Russia for its "cowardly" targeting of civilian infrastructure.

Security analyst Rebekah Koffler believes that Ukraine's invasion of Kursk, while significant, could ultimately backfire. She suggests that Russia may calibrate its attacks to avoid triggering a larger conflict with NATO and the US, while simultaneously seeking to degrade Ukraine's military and industrial capabilities.

Arming Ukraine with Long-Range Weapons: Key to Defeating Russia, Says CIA Chief

Peace efforts have proven elusive, with attempts by leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi failing to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Modi visited Kyiv and held talks with Zelenskyy, followed by discussions with both President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi emphasized the need for both sides to engage in dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Arming Ukraine with Long-Range Weapons: Key to Defeating Russia, Says CIA Chief

Ukraine's request for more advanced weapons and fewer restrictions on their use has become a critical factor in the ongoing conflict with Russia. As the war continues, it remains unclear whether Western allies will grant Ukraine's plea, potentially shifting the balance of power in favor of Kyiv and compelling Russia to negotiate on more favorable terms.