Military victory against Russia “unlikely” if US holds back long-range artillery

A military victory against Russia is “unlikely” if the United States holds back supplies of long-range artillery, a senior Ukrainian official tells CNN. 

Alexey Arestovych, a Ukrainian presidential advisor, said the weapons are “essential for fate of Ukraine and its independence.” US officials said last week they are considering a Ukrainian request for deliveries of Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, MLRS, which can strike targets as far as 300 kilometers, or about 186 miles, depending on the type of munition. 

Arestovych admitted that even a small number of the weapons systems, as few as 20, would be a “game-changer” in the conflict with Russia, as he said it would enable Ukrainian troops to defend themselves against long-range Russian attacks.

“Without MLRS, we would probably be able to stabilize the frontlines,” Arestovych said.

“But we would be looking at losing Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and parts of the Zaporizhzhia region.” 

But arming Ukraine with long-range rockets has raised concerns in the West. 

Acknowledging those concerns, Arestovych told CNN that Ukraine would only use the weapons to defend their territory, not to attack Russia.

US President Joe Biden said he does not plan to ship any rockets to Ukraine that could reach Russian territory.

“I won’t send anything that can fire into Russia,” Biden said at the White House on Monday when asked whether he was planning to send long-range rockets to Ukraine.

Also reported last week, the Biden administration is preparing to step up the kind of weaponry it is offering Ukraine by sending advanced, long-range rocket systems that are now the top request from Ukrainian officials.

The administration is leaning toward sending the systems as part of a larger package of military and security assistance to Ukraine, which could be announced as soon as next week.

The administration has wavered on whether to send the systems amid concerns raised within the National Security Council that Ukraine could use the new weapons to carry out offensive attacks inside Russia, according to officials.

On Friday, Russians warned that the United States will “cross a red line” if it supplies the systems to Ukraine.