Colonel Markus Reisner of the Austrian army recently voiced his concerns over the level of military support Western allies are providing to Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Focus on Preventing Victory
In an interview with Ukrinform, Reisner emphasized that while the West, particularly the United States, has supplied advanced weaponry, the quantity and restrictions on usage fall short of what Ukraine needs to effectively counter Russian forces.
According to Tech, Reisner acknowledged the capabilities of American weapons such as the HIMARS rocket artillery systems, ATACMS ballistic missiles, and F-16 fighter jets. However, he highlighted that Ukraine has received significantly fewer units than needed. For example, despite requesting 300 HIMARS launchers, Ukraine has received fewer than 48. Similarly, the delivery of F-16s has been delayed, and the use of ATACMS missiles is heavily restricted.
The colonel also criticized the broader strategic approach of the United States and other Western allies, which seems more focused on preventing a Russian victory rather than ensuring a Ukrainian one. Reisner pointed out that U.S. policy discourages attacks on critical Russian infrastructure, such as oil refineries, due to concerns about global market stability.
Skeptic About F-16 Fighter Jets
The impact of the HIMARS systems has been significant, providing Ukrainian forces with the ability to strike targets up to 80 kilometers away with standard MLRS rockets, and up to 300 kilometers with ATACMS missiles. These capabilities, combined with high mobility, have made HIMARS a formidable asset against Russian positions.
Regarding the potential deployment of F-16 fighter jets, Reisner expressed skepticism about their ability to change the course of the war. He noted that while they could help protect critical infrastructure and push Russian aircraft further back, the success of these jets would depend on proper integration with air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, as well as robust logistical support.
Finally, Reisner touched on the restrictions placed on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons. Many Western nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, prohibit strikes deep within Russian territory, limiting the effectiveness of systems like the Storm Shadow cruise missiles provided by the UK. In response, Ukraine has resorted to using drones to target Russian oil refineries and airfields, circumventing some of these restrictions.
