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The Ukrainians have a point. Since the Russians stage men and weapons systems just over the border and store ammunition and fuel close to Ukraine, why not let Kyiv strike with heavy-duty end items like ATACMS missiles and F-16s at these targets – including destroying Russian cities?

Su-34 Fullback.

Su-34 Fullback. Creator: Vitaly V. Kuzmin. Credit: Vitaly V. Kuzmin

After all, it is Russia that invaded first and steadfastly bombed Ukrainian population centers, killing untold civilians.

In fact, reports are breaking that the Biden Administration might allow non-U.S. weapons to be used for long-range strikes. Is that a good idea?

Will Long-range Strikes Unnecessarily Escalate the War?

However, doubts surely remain–and nothing is set in stone. The United States and its NATO allies are unsure about upping the ante in this fashion.

Russia is a nuclear power after all, and Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons then and now. He could also prod his generals to make attack plans to hit NATO countries and create an all-out World War Three type of situation in Europe. The risk of Russian escalation is palpable.

Let Ukraine Give Russia a Taste Of Its Own Medicine

But Volodymyr Zelensky is undeterred. The Ukrainians want revenge, payback, and a decisive end to the war. Attacks in the Russian heartland (beyond small drone strikes) could improve Ukraine’s strategic footing and allow them to negotiate for better terms if talks to end the war ever commence. It would also be nice if the Russians called no joy and put up the white flag.

Putin Says Don’t Mess Around, Or the West Will Find Out

Putin has warned long-range strikes from Ukraine would be a reason for all-out war against NATO and the United States by association.

“This will mean that NATO countries – the United States and European countries – are at war with Russia. And if this is the case, then, bearing in mind the change in the essence of the conflict, we will make appropriate decisions in response to the threats that will be posed to us,” Putin told journalists on September 12.

Biden Is Non-Committal

Besides recent reports, the Biden administration has been vague about its plans. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a vapid comment about how the battlefield has changed and how the situation has “evolved,” but he gave no clear indication that the United States would support Ukraine’s desire for long-range strikes from heavy-duty weapons.

Long-range Strikes Could Mean American Military Advisors in Ukraine

Using these types of weapons doesn’t mean the United States would just stand by innocently. There would need to be assistance and that could mean American personnel in the theater to help out. Ukraine would need a hand with intelligence, overhead satellite imagery, targeting, battle damage assessment, and other types of in-person support. One thing that the United States has been clear on throughout the war in Ukraine is no boots on the ground – even unarmed military advisers are out of the question.

NLAW Missile in Ukraine.

A member of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment fires a Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW)…Paratroopers have demonstrated the firepower that they could bring to bear during combat missions as the British Army’s global response force. ..As the culmination of a course in support weapons skills, paratroopers staged a firepower demonstration on Salisbury Plain. ..The Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) is the first, non-expert, short-range, anti-tank missile that rapidly knocks out any main battle tank in just one shot by striking it from above…NLAW utilises predicted line of sight guidance and has overfly top and direct attack modes, and it is easy to use, making it a valuable tank destroyer for light forces that operate dismounted in all environments, including built up areas…It also has night vision capability and is designed for all climate conditions and environments..

Pressure for Supporting Ukraine Long-range Strikes

Nevertheless, Congressional lawmakers from both parties and the established foreign policy blob in Washington, DC, plus many voters, are in favor of long-range strikes.

This places pressure on President Joe Biden, even though he is a lame duck. The Ukrainians want concrete answers and permission as soon as possible. They need more good news and progress in the war.

Time for Ukraine to Bomb Kursk?

The Kursk incursion operation has been a success, but it has bogged down, and the Russians are now counter-attacking. That area of operations would be one target of long-range strikes with heavy-duty weapons. Plus, Ukraine would love to hit railroad infrastructure to punish Russia. The Kremlin depends on a large network of rail to transport its arms and supplies to the front. And then there are Russian cities. If Russia sustained a large number of civilian casualties, it could sue for peace when Putin loses public support for the war.

Let’s Do an Armistice and Korea-like DMZ in Ukraine

My own position on escalation is different. I want peace negotiations now to discuss terms of an immediate ceasefire and eventual armistice that would create a Korea-like demilitarized zone. I discussed this peace plan in my latest book. Both sides would have to give up territory for the compromise. Russia would allow Ukraine to stay in Kursk and Ukraine would allow Russia to remain in Donbas. Freeze the battle lines where they are, back up ten miles and establish the DMZ. This would be administered by the United Nations as it is in Korea. This has kept the peace on the Korean-peninsula since 1953 and peace is what we need in Ukraine and Russia.

Stop Military Aid Until Ukraine and Russia Come to the Table

The United States and NATO allies could make this happen by freezing all future aid to Ukraine – giving the allies leverage to force a ceasefire and negotiations. This war has gone on too long. I do not support long-range strikes into Ukraine. Let’s stop the fighting and killing. No-one but Donald Trump has talked about ending the war, but he doesn’t have a concrete peace plan. What would he do if elected but talk on the phone pointlessly? He probably has no idea.

I’m the only one calling for a DMZ and I’m admittedly out on an island alone, but with the fighting entering its third year, it is time for creativity and fresh ideas. An armistice and DMZ to cease hostilities makes sense in a war that has defied prediction and expectations.

It is time for peace, and we will not see it with the execution of long-range strikes from Ukraine into Russia.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.