New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
‘The world has consistently underestimated Ukrainians’
Last year at this time, they were bakers, computer programmers, shop owners. Today, these young Ukrainians are going through accelerated combat training on American-supplied Bradley armored vehicles at a U.S. Army base in Germany. Battle hardened American Army officers are teaching them in live fire exercises on the vast open fields at Grafenwöhr, under chilling overcast skies reminiscent of Eastern Ukraine where they will soon fight.
As I visit these brave and dedicated soldiers, the American troops tell them the good and bad about how they’ve performed — what will enable them to overcome the superior numbers of their Russian invaders, and what will get them killed. An interpreter conveys the blunt assessment.
Many of these young men and women will face death or injury in the coming months. Few will be unhurt in some way. They are preparing to be at the tip of the spear in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s expected offensive onslaught this spring.
“I’m not one to get emotional,” a senior American officer tells me, “but I sometimes have to look away with tears in my eyes. They know what’s coming. They know why they’re here.”
Another officer says, “These guys are quick learners. They’re motivated beyond belief. Don’t underestimate them.”
Over the past year, the world has consistently underestimated Ukrainians — their determination to repel Russian subjugation and genocide, their courage and resilience, and their military adeptness and acumen. Repeatedly, our own top officials have hesitated to send vital weapons, first Javelins and Stingers, then HIMARS, longer-range artillery, and tanks and armored vehicles like the ones Ukrainians are now training on.
A principal reason for declining to provide these necessary weapons has been the difficulties and delays of training. Now, this same reason has been given for refusing fighter jets like the F-16’s that Ukrainians desperately need to disable Russian missiles and air defenses.
Ukrainians have repeatedly disproven any doubts about training, as well as the cost and time necessary to effectively use these weapons. They’ve done so on the battlefield as well as on training grounds such as Grafenwöhr.
They’ve also diminished fears about the dangers of Russian escalation. No question, Putin has escalated — with massive bombing of Ukrainian infrastructure, humongous increases in troops, heightened brutality and murder
“I’m not one to get emotional,” a senior American officer tells me, “but I sometimes have to look away with tears in my eyes. They know what’s coming. They know why they’re here.”
of civilians, rightly called crimes against humanity by the administration. But not with nuclear weapons, as once feared, because he knows that he would likely trigger a decisive NATO response in kind.
Helping to lead a bipartisan coalition in the Congress, I’ve advocated consistently that we provide these weapons to Ukraine without delay. Ukrainians do not seek — nor should we send — American troops on the ground. They want the tools to do the job themselves.
In fact, Ukraine is fighting for all democracies as well as theirs, because Putin will continue his savage, criminal aggression against other countries, including NATO allies, if he’s allowed to win in Ukraine.
The case is clear that the United States should provide jet fighters to Ukraine as soon as practicable, and at the very least begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly them. Delaying this decision risks defeat, since time and a war of attrition work in Russia’s favor. European leaders are coming to this same conclusion, based on their remarks at the recent annual Munich Security Conference that I attended.
President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Kyiv — a bold, brave move — demonstrates again his strong personal commitment
to provide Ukraine what it needs to win the war, even if he’s made no formal decision about fighter aircraft.
My visit to Grafenwöhr strongly reinforced for me the case for such aircraft, along with more advanced drones and other technology that will enable Ukraine’s David versus Goliath victory — a triumph of quality over quantity, precision against mass.
I came away inspired and moved by the fierce grit and resolve of these fighters. The Ukrainian people are ready to fight to the last person, with pitchforks if necessary, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once told me in Kyiv.
Our soldiers are inspired by them too.
“Teaching these guys, so motivated and focused, is good for us,” one senior American officer said. “Teaching someone else strengthens our own skills. And it shows us how we make a difference, especially these young officers, and the importance of our alliances.”
We watched as these Ukrainian soldiers dismounted from the Bradleys, spreading on expansive winter fields, advancing against a mock enemy with rounds against popup targets.
“We really form bonds with these guys — exchange patches, contact info, and stuff,” he said. “Most of them have never seen combat before, but they’ll be ready.”
Some of the best of America are readying the best of Ukraine to overcome one of the worst tyrants in modern history. We must continue to provide Ukraine with the tools and training they need to win this war quickly and decisively.