ATACMS Missiles Will Bring Russia to Tears, Retired US General Explains
The Renew Democracy Initiative brings you the fifth episode of our video series on the war in Ukraine in collaboration with New Debate and General Ben Hodges. In this episode, General Hodges visits his friend, colleague, and security expert, Edward Lucas, in London to discuss the most critical updates on the war. General Hodges and Edward Lucas offer pertinent insights into Russia's receding military occupation, the question of nuclear weapons, China's perspective on Russia's decision to wage a voluntary war, and the urgency and necessity of giving Ukraine the tools it needs to persevere in the face of Russia's continued aggression.
The Ukrainian military has made tremendous progress since the beginning of the Russian invasion. General Hodges reports that the Russian army and navy continue to fail on the battlefield and the Black Sea. Using advanced weaponry such as air and maritime drones, Ukrainians struck the Russian Navy in Sevastopol, dealing a heavy blow to the Black Sea fleet. Ukraine's military success depends on its tremendous ability to leverage technology and cunning strategy to surprise Russians at every turn, thereby seizing the momentum in an asymmetric war.
Of course, the Kremlin has painted Ukraine's recent strikes in defense of its nation as the actions of terrorists hell-bent on murdering Russians. This accusation is as ironic as it is devastatingly tragic. General Hodges reminds us of the constant state of fear that Ukrainian civilians live under as they endure a consistent rhythm of drone bombardments from the Russian aggressors. He notes that some villages suffered nine or ten times as much damage in a single week as the recent attack on Russia’s Black Sea fleet. It is a war crime to target civilian infrastructure that does not have direct military consideration. In Kherson, the Russian military has effectively kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian men, women, and children, forcibly transporting them into Russian territory.
General Hodges outlines what current support should look like in the war. For Hodges, it's simple: give Ukraine the necessary tools to win the war. Hodges advocates for a policy change allowing the US to provide HIMARS missile systems that fire ATACMS missiles that can travel almost 300 kilometers. With these weapons systems in their arsenal, the Ukrainian military could hit Russian airfields, ammunition storage sites, and naval bases in Crimea.
Some worry that supplying additional weapons to Ukraine could lead to Russia responding with a nuclear attack. Security expert Edward Lucas points out that the discourse surrounding it has little to do with nuclear weapons and everything to do with nerves. Lucas explains the rationale of nuclear weapons, stating that they are not a helpful method to win a war. Instead, these weapons act as deterrents to disincentivize dangerous escalation and diminish the threat of attack. In the end, Lucas believes their use would prove detrimental to Russia. The use of nuclear weapons would compel nations like China to condemn Russia and significantly decrease its strategic capabilities while relegating Russia to a pariah status like North Korea.
Lucas argues that Ukraine’s allies and supporters must stand up to Putin's nuclear blackmail and commit themselves to Ukraine's complete victory by providing them with the tools to achieve it. General Hodges remains confident that Ukraine will push Russia back to the 23 February line and liberate Crimea by the end of next year's summer. Hodges reiterates that war is a test of will and emphasizes the importance of wartime resolve to ensure victory. Thankfully, if there is one thing the Ukrainians are in no short supply of, it is their will to persevere.
Presented by:
Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges. United States Army
