Ukrainian Imperatives

The Ukrainian’s will to fight is on the world display.?They love their country. While they have an ethnic relation to the Russians, they value their independence and are fighting for it.?Here are six key imperatives for the Ukrainian next phase of their courageous fight.

NATO – Flow Stingers and Javelins ASAP

Before the invasion, the Ukrainians received a tranche of Stingers(https://www.military-today.com/missiles/stinger.htm) and Javelin (https://www.raytheonmissilesanddefense.com/what-we-do/land-warfare/precision-weapons/javelin-missile)missile systems from the U.S. and fellow NATO countries such as Estonia and Latvia. These weapons are proving vital. ?Dozens of Russian tanks, armored personal carriers, multiple fighter aircraft, and 2 IL-76 (https://images.app.goo.gl/QgDtk2DcTFRXAaRs8) cargo aircraft have been destroyed by the Ukrainians. Both have slowed the pace of the Russian advance and interrupted their battle phasing. Both are also not sophisticated and can be trained quickly and used on the battlefield. This is an important aspect of the weaponry as the next Ukrainian phase will be to conduct asymmetrical/spoiling attacks.?NATO must maintain the flow of these key weapon systems without any gaps in timing.

Must Maintain Western Corridor

This key imperative ties heavily into the Stinger and Javelin point.?Poland, which shares a Western border with Ukraine is a key partner in the Ukrainian logistical resupply of the battlefield. Like Pakistan for the Afghan Mujahidin in the 1980s and Albania for the Kosovo Liberation Army in the late 1990’s Poland proximity and NATO membership is vital. Keeping this corridor and the beautiful western Ukrainian city of Lviv open are key imperatives for the long-term prospects for the Ukrainians.

Protect President Zelenskyy

Just three years ago, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a comedic actor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li4-dCIS6DE). Yes, a comedic actor.?He was the Ukrainian version of Steve Carrell (The Office). Initially questioned by his populace on whether he would be the leader that Ukraine needed, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has quickly shed the comedic actor references and has now entered the leadership realm of the likes of Winston Churchill.?He has been overtly communicating with the Ukrainian people, discussing Ukrainian needs with world leaders, and staying calm despite the price Putin has put on him and his family's heads.?He must stay alive, online, and present. He has rallied the Ukrainian resolve and provided the most important thing during a war, hope!

President Zelenskyy must stay in Ukraine

He is being hunted. Putin has illegally put a price on sovereign - free elected head of state. We have recently seen what cowardice in leadership looks like recently.?When the Taliban began advancing on the Afghan city of Kunduz, north of Kabul, the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib (whom I know) fled the country and abandoned their responsibilities as leaders.?This marked the end of the Afghan government and reverberated through the ranks of the Afghan Army. Zelenskyy must stay in Ukraine.?Former Supreme allied commander in Europe, ADM James Stavridis suggested that we place Zelensky and the government in exile to protect him. Wrong answer! Zelenskyy must stay in Ukraine.?He doesn’t have to stay in Kyiv but must stay and rally the upcoming asymmetrical fight.

Destroy Bridges in Kyiv

Any Warfighter will tell you that leading an element of Soldiers and equipment across a “Wet Gap Crossing” (military jargon for crossing water) is arduous and provides the defender a distinct advantage on the battlefield.?Kyiv is separated by the Dnieper River (https://www.britannica.com/place/Dnieper-River). ?A large river with crossing gaps like the Ohio River.?With Russian advances on the northwest, north, and east through Kharkiv (fierce battle still being fought). These armies must not unite. The Russians knew this during the battle for Stalingrad during WW2.?The Volga River along Stalingrad was their lifeline. ?Bridges like the Pivnichnyi, Metro, and the Paton, unfortunately, must be destroyed by the Ukrainians. ?

?Create Russian Body bags

Dark and morbid I know, but the Ukrainians must inflict as many Russian body bags as possible.?The sanctions are largely symbolic for the near term and won’t make a difference in time, but Russian body bags being flown home to angered Russian families will. Russia is a powder keg propped up by less than 100 powerful men.?The only thing that can stop Putin is his fellow Russians. We have seen anti-war rallies in all the major cities of Russia.?The shooting down of the Russian IL-76s full of Airborne Soldiers is, unfortunately, an imperative to the success of Ukrainian freedom.