After two years of war, this is the aid Ukraine needs to win
February 24 marks 730 days of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukrainians. The reader is invited to think back to day one of this awful and bloody war. Like many, you may have thought that it would be impossible for Ukraine to withstand the illegal attack of the world’s “second largest military”. Now, two years later, Ukraine continues to defend itself, global democracy and international security against Russian aggression.
Ukraine has shown the world that it is not only ready to fight, but very capable in defending itself and the values of democracy, including those held by New Zealand.
However, while the world has supported Ukraine’s defence, what is still in question is the total readiness of Ukraine’s partners to achieve victory over Putin and his armed thugs.
We greatly appreciate all the aid we have been given, including a generous $26 million package this week by New Zealand, which includes on-going training in the UK by the NZDF of Ukrainian troops. We nevertheless believe that now is the time for the West to pivot to military support that is not only for defence, but for the capability to conclude the war through victory.
The truth on this second anniversary date is that there does not need to be a third anniversary and nor do there need to be further Russian incursions into the
West’s way of life and security.
If duly equipped, Ukrainian defenders can destroy Russian occupation forces. Ukraine’s resilience remains unchanged. The West must be ready to give Ukraine what it takes to win.
At this stage, it’s a different kind of war than most governments and war analysts had anticipated. It is being waged by modern means of warfare such as unmanned systems, FPV-drones, highexplosive air-dropped bombs, highprecision artillery and long-range cruise missiles. All this is based on sustainable, trouble-proof communication tools.
In each and every one of these spheres, the West has superiority over the “axis of terror” nations — Russia, North Korea and Iran. With enough political resolve, Western technical superiority in Ukrainian hands can be converted into battlefield victories.
For example, one can see that drones have become a game-changing tool of this war. That is why in order to defeat Russia on the battlefield, Ukraine needs millions of unmanned aerial systems of various types along with artillery ammunition and long-range missiles. Speaking of civilian population and infrastructure protection, Ukraine is in dire need of air and missile defence systems, early warning systems and electronic warfare tools, as well as the jet fighter power it has been promised.
We know that Russia can be defeated because, despite its myth-making and propaganda, it has been beaten before in significant periods of history. The most prominent cases are the Crimean war of 1853-56, the Russo-Japanese war of 19041905, World War I in which Soviet Russia accepted peace on German conditions and exited the war in March 1918, and the Afghan war of 1979-1989.
In 2023, Russia did not make significant territorial gains, while Ukrainian armed forces liberated a great part of Ukraine’s occupied territory. With the situation on the frontline being dynamic, nevertheless, the Ukrainian army is holding the line, including neutralising Russia’s Black Sea Fleet using drone technology (and while having no navy of its own).
It is true that New Zealand may not have the type of military capabilities that are critical to Ukraine’s victory. But it is also clear to me from speaking to thousands of Kiwis that New Zealanders support Ukraine and see its fight and victory over a brutal bully as important.
Therefore, there is the opportunity for New Zealand in 2024 to materially contribute to several available international funds and means whereby Ukraine receives the tools and technology that enable the end-game and Ukraine’s victory.
I am very grateful to your political leaders, including those of the new Government, for giving my country’s requests of support their genuine consideration.
It is little known that in 1944 at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Germanoccupied Italy, New Zealand Māori troops and Ukrainian troops (who were part of the Free Polish Army) literally fought up a cliff to defeat a well-entrenched and heavily-armed Nazi military force. We bravely fought together against incredibly long odds and we won together. The world is a much better place as a result.
It’s that spirit – the will to win over fascism and authoritarianism – that we need to embrace again in 80 years later.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko is the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand.