This article discusses NATO's plans to defend Europe and Ukraine's request for American cluster bombs, highlighting how technology is impacting the battlefield.
### Summary
The pace of Ukraine's counter-offensive has been disappointing, leading to frustrated expectations and increased criticism of President Zelensky. Ukraine is also facing challenges with the delayed arrival of Western equipment and lack of air cover.
### Facts
- The pace of Ukraine's counter-offensive has been slower than expected, leading to frustrated expectations and criticism of President Zelensky.
- Western equipment promised to Ukraine has not arrived in the expected numbers, causing frustration and demotivation.
- Allies' equivocation about the supply of newer weapons and the prospect of Donald Trump's re-election adds to Ukrainian anxieties.
- Ukraine's army lacks resources for frontal attacks and is focusing on degrading the enemy through artillery, drones, and electronic warfare.
- Recent advances have been made in the southern theatre, but Ukraine is still far from its strategic goal of nearing the Azov Sea before late October.
- Rumors of early parliamentary and presidential elections have circulated, with the logic that it would be better for Zelensky to seek re-election while still a national hero.
- Conducting elections during a war would be complex, and the idea of early elections currently lacks popular demand.
- Peace negotiations with Russia are unlikely without a military breakthrough, as there is still a strong desire to regain lost territory.
- The burden of the war falls heavily on Ukraine's young generation, who face conscription and the constant threat of being sent to the front.
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Ukraine is developing its drone capabilities, using new types of drones to target Russian-controlled areas and engage in a psychological war, but scaling up production and obtaining resources remains a challenge.
Ukraine's military has reported advances and strong defense along the front lines of its war with Russia, with Moscow acknowledging tension in the southern sector but dismissing Kyiv's campaign as unsuccessful.
Russia may be able to increase artillery production but still falls short of its needs for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a Western official.
The Biden administration is considering approving the shipment of longer-range missiles with cluster bombs to Ukraine, which would give them the ability to cause significant damage within Russian-occupied territory, according to U.S. officials.
America's top military commander warns that Ukraine has limited time to pursue a stagnating military offensive, as tensions with Western allies rise, potentially putting Ukraine and the US at odds.
An alliance between North Korea and Russia could impact the conflict in Ukraine by providing Russia with additional weapons and potentially escalate the nuclear arms race in Asia.
Ukraine's military offensive against Russian forces in the south and east has made limited progress, prompting discussions about whether the US and other Western countries should provide more powerful weapons or seek a negotiated settlement.
The United States and Germany are discussing the transfer of ATACMS and Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing that it is up to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to decide how they will use the weapons.
The Biden administration is reportedly not planning to decide on the transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine during President Zelenskyy's upcoming visit to Washington next week, as discussions within the administration are ongoing regarding the matter.
Russia is predicted to amass a significant stockpile of air-launched cruise missiles to target Ukraine's critical infrastructure during the upcoming winter, according to the UK Defense Ministry.
North Korea's potential supply of artillery munitions to Russia for the war in Ukraine is unlikely to have a major impact, according to Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented on the US government's intention to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, stating that it will not change the essence of the ongoing conflict, as he believes Ukraine is being prepared to fight for the strategic defeat of Russia.
The Ukrainian army claims to have struck a Russian military airfield near the Crimean town of Saky, while several cities and towns in Ukraine were hit by Russian rockets, killing two and injuring others; Poland has announced it will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine amid a growing rift between the two countries over grain.
U.S. President Joe Biden has reportedly informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the United States will provide Kyiv with ATACMS long-range missiles to help attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases, and rail networks in Russian-occupied territory.
The Biden administration is nearing a decision to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles that scatter cluster bomblets, despite concerns about their maximum range reaching into Russia.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggests that British soldiers training Ukrainian troops in Ukraine and German factories producing Taurus missiles supplying Kyiv would be legitimate targets for Russian forces, and warns that such actions by the West are bringing World War Three closer.
Ukrainian forces have used US-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles for the first time, causing significant damage to two airfields in Russian-occupied areas, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Ukraine's President Zelenskiy confirmed the use of U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS missiles, marking the first official usage of the missiles in the country, which targeted airfields and caused heavy losses to Russian forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the United States for providing Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, calling it a mistake that deepens the conflict and prolongs the agony for Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the United States for providing Ukraine with ATACMS long-range missiles, stating that it was a "great mistake" and poses an additional threat to Russian forces, although he believes his military can repel these strikes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the United States for delivering long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, viewing it as a mistake and stating that Russia would be able to defend against them.
President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed Ukrainian defense and long-range strike capabilities with President Joe Biden ahead of Biden's national address on the wars in Ukraine and Israel, expressing gratitude for the delivery of Army Tactical Missiles Systems (ATACMS) and discussing further strengthening of long-range capabilities.
