1,000 days of war in Ukraine as Zelenskyy doubles down on aerial options with ATACMS, drones and missiles
As Ukraine commemorates 1,000 days of conflict with Russia, the devastating toll of war on the country is a stark reminder of the global implications of major nations engaging in mass conflict. Since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated the “special military operation” on Feb. 22, 2022, Ukraine has been facing the largest conflict Europe has seen since World War II.
The war has not only left scars on the landscape of Ukraine, with cities and towns being decimated by bombardments, but it has also heralded a new era in combat strategy. The use of cheaply made drones to target cities, troop locations, and military equipment has changed the face of warfare, showcasing a new type of warfare that has emerged from the conflict in Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently announced plans to increase Ukraine’s production of long-range drones and missiles as part of efforts to gain an edge over Russia. The decision comes as Ukraine faces dwindling artillery supplies and uncertainty looms ahead of the Biden administration’s departure from the White House in January 2025. Kyiv plans to produce 30,000 long-range drones, along with 3,000 cruise missiles and “drone-missile hybrids” in the coming year.
The Biden administration’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to target Russian military depots inside Russia marks a significant shift in U.S. policy. This move, coupled with reports that the U.K. and France may follow suit in supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, has raised questions about how providing these capabilities will affect the trajectory of the war.
As tensions escalate and concerns over nuclear warfare mount, both Ukraine and Russia are looking to bolster their bargaining capabilities ahead of a Trump presidency. The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Iran have added to the complexities of the situation.
Amidst the uncertainty, President Zelenskyy emphasized the need to end the war fairly and justly. As Ukraine marks 1,000 days of conflict, the hope remains for a peaceful resolution to the devastating war that has ravaged the country.
