Media Wire Express Correspondent
The decision by the United States to pause military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine has sparked serious concerns among Ukrainian officials, who fear the impact on their country’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks.
Yehor Cherniev, the Deputy Chairman of Ukraine’s Defense and Intelligence Committee, voiced his worries, stating that the halt in U.S. support will ultimately cost more Ukrainian lives. “Every delay in military assistance means more of our soldiers will be lost,” he told reporters.
However, Cherniev noted that the effects of this decision may not be immediate on the battlefield. He estimated that Ukraine has enough supplies to continue fighting for about six months, but beyond that, the situation could become critical.
One of the most pressing concerns is Ukraine’s air defense system, particularly the U.S.-supplied Patriot missile batteries. These advanced systems are among the few capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Without a steady supply of missiles to restock these defenses, Ukraine could become increasingly vulnerable to aerial attacks.
Long-range missiles are another issue. Cherniev suggested that most, if not all, of Ukraine’s U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles used for striking strategic targets behind enemy lines—have already been used up.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine has been working to reduce its reliance on foreign military aid. Cherniev pointed out that the country’s domestic arms production has increased more than twentyfold, with a strong focus on drones. These unmanned aircraft have played a key role in Ukraine’s military strategy, both in defense and in carrying out attacks inside Russian territory.
Although the U.S. has halted official intelligence-sharing, Ukraine continues to conduct long-range drone strikes deep inside Russia. This suggests that Ukrainian forces are still receiving intelligence from other sources, though it is unclear how or where they are getting this information.
Former Ukrainian security official Ivan Stupak expressed concerns that the pause in U.S. intelligence-sharing signals a breakdown in communication between Kyiv and Washington. “Right now, we don’t fully know what’s happening on the ground,” he said, suggesting that Ukraine’s ability to anticipate Russian military movements may be affected.
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Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway to address the issue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently in Saudi Arabia for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Talks are expected to focus on security issues, including potential agreements on Black Sea operations, missile restrictions, and economic cooperation.
At the same time, European leaders are preparing for the possibility that U.S. aid may not resume soon. Some countries are considering boosting their own military support for Ukraine, but challenges remain, as European stockpiles and production capacities are limited.
For now, Ukraine is pressing forward with its war effort, relying on its remaining stockpiles, homegrown defense production, and whatever intelligence it can gather
