OPINION:
When Russia invaded Ukraine, I was with former Ukraine special operators at a gathering of U.S. and international fighters in Florida. As these brave veterans were off to develop their own supply lines into the country, we teamed with them to form the Ukraine Freedom Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization, to deliver humanitarian and non-lethal military medical aid into Ukraine. Since then, we have spent half a month in Kyiv, Lviv and throughout Ukraine organizing aid delivery and meeting key officials.
The main takeaway is clear. The Ukraine military fights like a lion. Ukraine does not need Americans to fight on the ground, but it does need U.S. air cover, weapons training, real-time intelligence, humanitarian aid and transfer of critical military hardware, including the requested MIG-29 fighter jets. Without this aid, more needless Ukrainian death and destruction will continue.
We drove by a field in Irpin during our tour of Kyiv battlefields. The field had been converted into a massive graveyard filled with Ukrainian civilians killed in the war. It was heartbreaking to see the result of pure evil. Russian targeting of civilians is proof that a genocide is occurring before our very eyes. The official estimate from the United Nations of civilian losses is currently at 5,000. Ukraine officials estimate well over 30,000 civilian deaths. Most at the hands of direct, purposeful targeting of nonmilitary targets.
America is aware of the war crimes against humanity, yet it continues. It is this simple — America should do more directly to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin and stop using a potential nuclear threat as an excuse for no direct U.S. engagement. The U.S. is beginning to ramp up military aid, which is good, but this is still being handled indirectly as “not our fight” because it may not be safe for the West to engage more directly. Sometimes a nation must do what is right, not what is safe.
Right now, Russia is massing its armies for a near 10-to-1 advantage over Ukraine’s military and will again unleash indiscriminate warfare on civilians. We saw the aftermath of this wonton killing of civilians first-hand. The destruction around Kyiv is the size of the D.C. Beltway. Home after home was shelled and destroyed. People were rounded up and shot in the streets. This war has echoes of World War II, yet it is happening in 2022.
In Kyiv, about 650,000 people are impacted. Many have no housing or are without power and water. In Bucha, there are mass graves where Ukrainian civilians were rounded up and executed as Russians occupied and retreated. In Hostomel, civilian homes were shelled and occupied during a key battle for the Antonov Airport. This airport battle was ultimately won by Ukraine heroes despite over 50 Russian attack helicopters, Russian special forces and hundreds of Russian airborne troops attempting to secure the airport. In Borodyanka, there was heavy fighting and terror of civilians. Russians killed the mayor’s staff and family. Thankfully, there are war crimes officials on the ground working to gather evidence. In Mariupol alone, the real civilian death toll is expected by officials to be over 20,000.
Right now, the Ukrainians have suffered great loss, but they still have a chance to win this war if America helps them. Now is the time to consider more direct U.S. action. While the U.S. has stepped up the transfer of heavy artillery Howitzers and drones, still missing according to experts are more long-range standoff distance anti-ship and aircraft weapons. More planes are needed to contest the sky.
America should consider establishing a humanitarian and weapons corridor into Ukraine patrolled by U.S. and allied troops to free up more Ukraine forces for the fight. It could be supported by a U.S. and allied no-fly zone. This would allow for air transport of humanitarian and military aid into parts of the country. Faster food and medical supply delivery by air would help countless Ukraine citizens. U.S. military and medical trainers could also be in-country directly training the Ukraine forces.
Our group, the Ukraine Freedom Alliance, has stepped forward like so many others to help provide western resolve. In the words of the immortal President Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for and defended by each generation.” Democratic Sen. Chris Coons correctly stated that the U.S. may need to step up its military support for Ukraine, “the American people cannot turn away from this tragedy.”
It is time for America to do American things and lead the free world in fighting tyranny. Simply sending in military aid and hoping for the best does not meet the moment of the largest land war in Europe since World War II by a hostile enemy against a U.S. ally.
Right now, the Greatest Generation, the same who fought and died in Europe during World War II, is asking — “Where is the USA?” Ukrainians are wondering that too.
• Phil Anderson is president of the Ukraine Freedom Alliance.
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