The article discusses the potential implications of Ukraine using ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) against Russian and North Korean forces in Kursk Oblast. The decision to allow Ukraine to use this missile system is seen as an effort by President Biden to help Kyiv hold on to as much territory as possible before Trump takes office and tries to freeze the front lines.
Analysts believe that ATACMS can make a difference in the conflict, making it more difficult for Russian forces to command their troops effectively and supply them adequately. The use of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) by Ukraine earlier in the war had a similar effect, compelling Russian forces to move command centers and logistical nodes out of range.
Retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges agrees that while ATACMS won’t be a “game changer,” it is still a positive step for Ukraine. He expects the Ukrainian military to use these missiles to target Russian headquarters, logistics, and artillery.
On the ground in Kursk Oblast, soldiers like Dmytro are skeptical about the decision, seeing it as a political move rather than a genuine effort to help Ukraine defend its territory.
The article also mentions that official statements from Kyiv emphasize that holding territory in Kursk Oblast is not just for bargaining power but also to demonstrate Putin’s weakness and inability to guarantee security within his own country. Zelensky has alluded to the idea that trading captured territories is like trading captured prisoners of war.
The mood music in Kyiv has shifted since Trump’s election, with a sense that the war will end faster under his administration, and Ukraine must do everything possible to end it through diplomatic means.
Overall, the article suggests that the use of ATACMS by Ukraine could be a strategic move to put pressure on Russia and demonstrate its own strength before the potential inauguration of Trump.