DAN RICE
Oct 15, 2024
It has been one year since the U.S. approved ATACMs cluster munitions for Ukraine use on occupied Ukrainian territory.
This was The NY Times story one year ago.
“”One day after Ukraine used newly acquired, American-made missiles to launch a damaging attack on Russian air bases in occupied territories, President Vladimir V. Putin sought to play down the impact the weapons will have on the battlefield.
“It is another mistake by the United States,” the Russian leader said, adding that it will only prolong “Ukraine’s agony.”
Speaking with journalists at the end of his visit to China, Mr. Putin admitted that the delivery of the long-range missiles — known as ATACMs — would “create a new threat” and “cause harm” to Russia, but said that the new weapons “cannot change the situation on the front lines” because Russia can fend off attacks by such missiles.
Dan Rice, the president of the American University in Kyiv and a military expert who has long lobbied for the United States to provide the munitions, disputed Mr. Putin’s assessment.
“These are ballistic missiles,” Mr. Rice said. “He has no defense against them. Other than misinformation.”
“Any supply depot or command and control or large troop concentration within 100 miles of the front line should be worried,” he said.””
End quote.
One year later and Russian casualties have increased from 15k/month to 35k/month, while Russian artillery losses have increased 4x per month. Russia cannot stop Ukraine cluster munitions from 155mm howitzers or Himars. And now F-16s.
Cluster munitions are helping Ukraine win a war of attrition against the largest artillery force in the world. Just as they were designed.
Putin was clearly proven wrong! Cluster munitions have significantly changed the situation on the front lines. And Russia has proven incapable of stopping them.
…………….
Another NYT article behind a paywall is headed:
“Give Ukraine NATO Membership. Peace Depends on It.”
It could be of interest. Maybe Larry could post the text in comments?
I’d be interested to read that if you can unblock it Billy.
I hear ya, I made an attempt to clipboard it but didn’t work out. I need to get my desktop or laptop up and running again. Would make it much easier.
Thanks for the link, Sir Bill. I published the NYT article.
Cool Sir OFP!😎👍
I published it, scradge.
I’m sure that the largest artillery force in the world is no more. Mafia land might still have lots of tubes, but most are older than the meat puppets using them, are the towed type and so more vulnerable than the self-propelled ones.
“Maybe Larry could post the text in comments?”
Looks like it’s been posted.