Classified report reveals US weapons that could shift Ukraine war

General Chris Cavoli, the US military's top commander in Europe, has compiled a list of advanced American weapons systems that could enhance Ukraine’s fight against Russia, but which the Biden administration has not yet supplied.

This classified report, delivered to Congress last month, includes the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and the NATO communications system Link 16, both of which Ukraine has repeatedly requested, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Link 16 system could significantly improve coordination among Ukrainian defence systems, while the air-to-surface missiles would require Ukraine to establish air superiority to be fully effective. Although the US has expressed concerns about sensitive technology falling into Russian hands, the report did not address the reasons these systems have yet to be provided.

Ukraine continues to press the US for more advanced weaponry and fewer restrictions on long-range missile usage. During a recent meeting with President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a list of strategic targets inside Russia that he hopes to strike using US-provided ATACMS missiles. While Biden has not ruled out the request, he remains non-committal, and there is no immediate indication of a policy shift.

With the 2024 US presidential election looming, the future of American support for Ukraine is uncertain. To ensure continuous assistance, NATO and US allies are exploring long-term solutions, including contracts with private companies to provide logistical and equipment support through 2025. This strategy seeks to secure Ukraine’s defence capacity regardless of potential political changes in Washington.

As Russia faces increasing battlefield losses and economic strain from Western sanctions, US officials hope that 2025 will mark a turning point in the conflict. However, some critics argue that the Biden administration's victory plan for Ukraine remains vague, focusing broadly on Ukrainian sovereignty without clear benchmarks for success.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains fluid, with Russia making incremental gains in the east, even as Ukraine holds strategic territory within Russia’s borders.

By Tamilla Hasanova