To end the war, the US must let Ukraine bring pain to the Russian homeland

 



As Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the United Nations General Assembly, his country faces relentless assaults from Russia’s missiles, drones, and bombs. Despite promises of five Patriot air defense systems at the NATO summit, only two have arrived in Ukraine so far. 

The delayed arrival of these defense systems coincides with Russia's new supply of Iranian short-range ballistic missiles, signaling an escalation of the already devastating conflict.


When Ukraine launched a successful offensive into Russia's Kursk Oblast, seizing control of over 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory, President Vladimir Putin retaliated with intensified attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. Russia has destroyed over nine gigawatts of Ukraine’s power grid, sparking widespread energy shortages that could become catastrophic during the upcoming winter.


Zelensky has vowed to present a “peace plan” this week in meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and potentially former President Donald Trump. This moment presents an opportunity for Ukraine to reshape its strategy, including bringing the war’s impact to Russian soil in a bid to end the conflict.


While most of the war’s devastation has been confined to Ukraine, recent Ukrainian drone attacks within Russia have struck critical infrastructure. These operations have damaged over 10% of Russia’s oil-refining capacity, destroyed Russian warplanes, and obliterated arms stockpiles.


 Nonetheless, Ukraine’s military is constrained in its ability to strike Russian territory due to restrictions imposed by its Western allies. The U.S. government continues to prohibit Ukraine from using American ATACMs and restricts the use of British Storm Shadow missiles, which include U.S. components, against Russian targets.


Zelensky and his military strategists believe that to turn the tide of war, Ukraine must be allowed to target Russia’s military infrastructure and civilian power grids, particularly those in Moscow. Moscow’s power plant, which generates over one gigawatt of heat and electricity, is a prime target as it supplies energy to critical Russian military and national security operations. 


Striking these energy sources would be legal under international law, as they serve as a key part of Russia’s war apparatus. British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles could potentially reach these facilities from Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Ukraine has remained clear that it will not target Russian civilians. However, reciprocal strikes on Russia’s power grid in response to Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems could significantly weaken Russia’s ability to continue the war. Over the last two years, Ukraine’s energy systems have been severely degraded by Russian bombardment, leaving millions without heat or electricity.


A strategic assault on Moscow’s power grid and military facilities could disrupt Russia’s war efforts far more than economic sanctions, which have had limited success in undermining Russia’s economy. 

Targeting legitimate military and infrastructure facilities in Russia would not only damage Putin’s war machine but also hasten the end of the conflict. Such actions would exert substantial pressure on the Russian government and potentially diminish its ability to wage war, particularly as the conflict drains Russia's economy and military resources.


As the U.S. approaches a presidential election that could bring new foreign policy leadership, Zelensky is making a strong case for Ukraine’s right to defend itself by striking back at Russia. Without this shift, Putin may continue his war of attrition, leading to countless more Ukrainian casualties and a heavier financial burden on Western allies.

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