Dan Hoffman, a former CIA Station Chief and Fox News contributor, believes Ukraine can secure victory against Russia if equipped with long-range weapons. Hoffman highlights President Putin's surprise at Ukraine's successful invasion of Kursk and the subsequent scrambling by the Kremlin to downplay the situation.
Former CIA Station Chief and Fox News contributor Dan Hoffman has expressed confidence in Ukraine's ability to defeat Russia, provided it is armed with long-range weapons. Hoffman's analysis comes amidst Ukraine's bold invasion of the Kursk region, catching Russian President Vladimir Putin off guard.
According to Hoffman, Putin has been scrambling to downplay the seriousness of Ukraine's incursion and has ordered government-funded media to minimize its impact. The Kremlin has also launched a propaganda campaign to prepare Russians for a "new normal" under Ukrainian occupation.
Ukraine's Triumph Over Russia Possible with Long-Range Weapons, Expert Claims
Independent Russian news outlet Meduza reported that Kremlin officials are attempting to distract the public through humanitarian assistance programs and assurances that Russian forces will eventually reclaim Kursk. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied any long-term plans to occupy the region, claiming that his troops are there to serve as a "buffer zone" against further Russian attacks.
Ukrainian servicemen pose for a picture near a military vehicle amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the Russian border in the Sumy region of Ukraine on Aug. 11, 2024. (Reuters/Viacheslav Ratynskyi)
Ukraine's Triumph Over Russia Possible with Long-Range Weapons, Expert Claims
Zelenskyy's visit to Sumy on Thursday signaled a decrease in Russian attacks in the Ukrainian border region following Kyiv's incursion. Analysts speculate that Ukraine's goal in Kursk could be to draw Russian forces away from the eastern front.
Meduza reports that Russian officials estimate Ukrainian forces could remain in Kursk for several months, suggesting Putin's reluctance or inability to deploy the necessary troops to retake the region. A Wall Street Journal report indicates that Russia redeployed 5,000 troops from Donetsk to counter Ukraine's advance, but experts believe close to 20,000 troops would be required for a successful ouster.
Ukraine's Triumph Over Russia Possible with Long-Range Weapons, Expert Claims
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes Russia's strategy relies on Ukraine's lack of artillery, exacerbated by delays in U.S. arms deliveries. However, Ukraine has employed effective alternative tactics, including drone and long-range missile strikes, to counter Russian advances.
Despite artillery disadvantages, Ukrainian forces have successfully contested Russian initiatives through multiple smaller-scale operations that collectively contribute to their overall strategic goals.
Ukraine's Triumph Over Russia Possible with Long-Range Weapons, Expert Claims
Servicemen of the 24th Mechanised Brigade fire a" Giatsint-S" 152mm self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar town, in Donetsk region of Ukraine on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukrainian 24th Mechanised Brigade via AP)
As of now, concerns remain high over Russian advances in Donetsk, where Ukraine has enforced mandatory evacuations. The provision of long-range weapons, as advocated by Hoffman, could significantly enhance Ukraine's chances of securing victory and regaining control of occupied territories.
