- **Q: How involved was the US military beyond sending weapons?
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ARTICLE DETAIL
The Secret History of America’s Hidden Role in the Ukraine War | Escalating Tensions: NATO Destroys Iranian Missile, EU Repatriates Citizens Amid Middle East Conflict | Pakistan and Afghanistan Enter 'Open War' Amid Cross-Border Attacks | Cuba Faces Severe Fuel Crisis Amid US Embargo; Canada Prepares Aid Package | Cuban Missile Crisis: When the World Stood on the Brink of Nuclear War | UN Sanctions Against Iran Resume Over Nuclear Activity | Russia Builds Radar Station Near 'NATO Lake': What It Means | Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador Over Antisemitic Attacks | Venezuelans Deported to El Salvador: A Story of Injustice and Resilience | The Secret History of America’s Hidden Role in the Ukraine War | Escalating Tensions: NATO Destroys Iranian Missile, EU Repatriates Citizens Amid Middle East Conflict | Pakistan and Afghanistan Enter 'Open War' Amid Cross-Border Attacks | Cuba Faces Severe Fuel Crisis Amid US Embargo; Canada Prepares Aid Package | Cuban Missile Crisis: When the World Stood on the Brink of Nuclear War | UN Sanctions Against Iran Resume Over Nuclear Activity | Russia Builds Radar Station Near 'NATO Lake': What It Means | Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador Over Antisemitic Attacks | Venezuelans Deported to El Salvador: A Story of Injustice and Resilience
World Affairs / International Relations
The Secret History of America’s Hidden Role in the Ukraine War
Recent reports reveal the depth of a largely secret partnership between the United States, its allies like the UK, and Ukraine, forged shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. This collaboration, centered in Wiesbaden, Germany, i...
Key Insights
- **Secret Partnership Hub:** A key operations center was established at the U.S. military garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany, bringing together American, Ukrainian, and allied officers (including British commandos who escorted Ukrainian generals there initially).
- **Deep Intelligence Integration:** The US provided vast intelligence, including precise targeting information ('points of interest'), guiding Ukrainian strikes against Russian forces, command posts, and even the Black Sea Fleet flagship, the Moskva. US and UK personnel were effectively part of the 'kill chain'.
- **Advanced Weaponry & Training:** Beyond publicly known aid, the partnership facilitated the delivery and effective use of advanced systems like M777 howitzers and HIMARS rocket systems, with US personnel overseeing initial strikes and providing coordinates.
- **Evolving 'Red Lines':** The US progressively authorized previously forbidden actions, including supporting strikes in Russian-annexed Crimea (Operation Lunar Hail), providing longer-range ATACMS missiles, and eventually enabling strikes within a designated 'ops box' on Russian sovereign territory to defend Kharkiv.
- **Operational Tensions:** The partnership faced strains due to differing strategic priorities, levels of trust, and communication styles between US and Ukrainian commanders, as well as internal rivalries within the Ukrainian military leadership.
- **Impact:** This deep cooperation is credited with enabling Ukraine to inflict heavy casualties on Russian forces (estimated over 700,000 killed or wounded by US counts) and achieve significant early successes, though failures like the 2023 counteroffensive also highlighted challenges.
- **Why This Matters:** Understanding this hidden history reveals the true extent of Western involvement, the complexities of modern proxy warfare, and the delicate balance between supporting an ally and avoiding direct escalation with a nuclear power. It also provides context for ongoing debates about military aid and the future trajectory of the conflict.
In-Depth Analysis
### Formation of the Partnership Shortly after Russia's February 2022 invasion, Ukrainian generals were secretly escorted by British commandos to Wiesbaden, Germany. There, at the U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters (Clay Kaserne), they met figures like Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, forging a partnership that integrated US intelligence and strategic planning directly into Ukraine's war effort. This hub became a fusion center, combining intelligence from the CIA, NSA, DIA, NGA, and allied partners to guide operations.
### Intelligence and Targeting The core of the partnership involved unprecedented intelligence sharing. The US provided precise coordinates for Russian positions, termed 'points of interest' to navigate political sensitivities. This intelligence guided devastating strikes using newly supplied Western artillery, notably HIMARS, which significantly degraded Russian logistics and command structures in 2022. Early successes included thwarting a Russian river crossing at Sievierodonetsk and repeatedly targeting the headquarters of Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army.
### Key Operations and Shifting Dynamics - **2022 Counteroffensives:** Collaborative planning led to successful counteroffensives near Kharkiv and Kherson, although disagreements arose over strategy and timing. US intelligence and pressure played roles in these campaigns. - **Crimea Campaign (Operation Lunar Hail):** The US and UK assisted Ukraine in developing maritime drones and later authorized strikes using ATACMS missiles against Russian military infrastructure in Crimea, aiming to pressure Russia. - **Bakhmut and the 2023 Counteroffensive:** Plans for a decisive 2023 counteroffensive toward Melitopol faltered due to internal Ukrainian disagreements (Zelensky vs. Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny vs. Syrsky) and strategic choices, particularly the costly decision to focus heavily on Bakhmut, which diverted resources from the main thrust. The offensive ultimately failed to achieve its primary objectives. - **Strikes Inside Russia:** Facing Russian attacks launched from across the border (especially targeting Kharkiv), the US eventually authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons within a defined 'ops box' inside Russia, supported by US intelligence. Later, CIA assistance was provided for specific long-range drone strikes on military targets deep within Russia, like the Toropets munitions depot.
### Tensions and Trust While yielding tactical successes, the partnership experienced friction. Americans sometimes perceived Ukrainians as overly ambitious or distrustful of advice, while Ukrainians felt held back or patronized, particularly regarding weapon requests and operational autonomy. Internal Ukrainian military rivalries also complicated decision-making. Instances like Ukraine launching the Kursk incursion without fully informing US partners highlighted ongoing trust issues.
FAQ
- **Q: Did the US directly participate in combat?
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- **Q: Why was this partnership kept largely secret?
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Takeaways
- The war in Ukraine involves a level of direct Western intelligence and planning support far exceeding typical arms-length military aid.
- Successes and failures on the battlefield are influenced not only by troop actions but also by complex interactions, agreements, and disagreements between Ukraine and its key partners.
- Decisions about military aid and operational support involve constant calculation of risk versus reward, balancing Ukraine's needs with the strategic imperative to avoid escalation with Russia.
- Understanding this hidden layer of cooperation provides crucial context for interpreting war developments and the geopolitical stakes involved.
Discussion
This deep, often covert, partnership fundamentally shaped the course of the war. Do you think this level of integrated support will continue, or will political shifts alter the dynamic? Let us know!
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Sources
The Partnership: The Secret History of the War in Ukraine (NYT)
How British commandos helped bring the CIA into the heart of the Ukraine war (Yahoo/Telegraph)
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