NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
On Wednesday, the Pentagon finally admitted what was clear to serious intelligence analysts from the start: Ukraine has no military path to victory against Russia.
"A Ukrainian military victory defined as kicking the Russians out of all of Ukraine the probability of that happening anytime soon is not high," the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley told reporters.
After nine months of relentless assault by the Russians, a large swath of Ukraines critical infrastructure is decimated, leaving its residents without electricity, heat and water as temperatures have dropped to freezing levels. But one is hard-pressed to argue that Moscow is about to celebrate some kind of triumph.
Russia has lost some 100,000 personnel to death or injury; scores of military-age men and families have fled their homes to avoid mobilization, creating a major brain-drain; and Moscow is relying on Iran and North Korea for replenishing its diminishing weapons arsenal. And Putins grand plans to topple Kyiv are on hold, at best. So who is popping champagne corks as the brutal Russia-Ukraine war continues with no end in sight?
HAVING SIZED UP BIDEN, PUTIN INVADED UKRAINE; TAIWAN MUST PRAY XI DOESNT MAKE A SIMILAR ASSESSMENT
The winner is undoubtedly China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2021. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Theres a shrewd Chinese allegory that captures the essence of Chinas thinking on this conflict: "As two tigers are fighting ferociously in the valley, a sage monkey is sitting on top of the mountain, looking down and waiting to see how it will end."
The two tigers are Russia and the United States, both considered by China to be its top adversaries. China is the wise monkey patiently waiting as Moscow and Washington are eroding their respective combat power, fighting a proxy war over control of Ukraine.
According to the Congressional Research Service, from 2014, when Russia first attacked Ukraine, annexing Crimea, through October 14, 2022, the United States has provided more than $20.3 billion in security assistance "to help Ukraine preserve its territorial integrity, secure its borders and improve interoperability with NATO."
This aid came in the form of training, equipment and advisory efforts to "enhance Ukraines defensive capabilities." The funds have been directed for logistics support, supplies and services; salaries and stipends; sustainment; weapons replacement; and intelligence support. But the fact that Washington spent more money in the nine months in Ukraine than it did in five years in Afghanistan for what essentially is an unwinnable war is not the main problem.
The issue is that the Pentagon is rapidly depleting the country's weapons stockpile to dangerous levels, eroding its own combat readiness. An unnamed defense official told the Wall Street Journal the stockpile of 155mm combat rounds in U.S. military storage has become "uncomfortably low," suggesting it wasnt sufficient "to go into combat."
The Biden administration has continued to fund Ukraine against Putin's invasion. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky | Photo by Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images | Getty)
Substantial aid was provided under Barack Obama, but the Trump Administration initiated the provision of lethal weapons firearms, ammunition, ordnance, laser, imaging and guidance equipment. The Biden Administration ramped up assistance to Ukraine to include sniper rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, counter-artillery radars, Mark VI patrol boats, electronic warfare detection and secure communications, satellite imagery and analysis capability, counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS), air surveillance systems, night vision devices and other equipment.
WHAT IS PUTIN THINKING? WHERE THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR STANDS NINE MONTHS AFTER INVASION
Washington has been sending greater and greater amounts of sophisticated military hardware to Kyiv since Feb. 24, when Putin assaulted Ukraine for the second time. As of Oct. 14, the U.S. sent 20 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and ammunition, with 18 HIMARS on the way.
A partial list also includes 8,500-plus Javelin anti-armor systems and 32,000-plus other anti-armor systems; 1,400-plus Stinger anti-aircraft systems; hundreds of armored Humvee vehicles and 440 mine resistant vehicles; 200 M113 armored personnel carriers; 10,000-plus grenade launchers and small arms; and untold amounts of communications and intelligence equipment.
The exact levels of U.S. weapons depletion as a result of supplying Ukraine is classified. But, by the Pentagons own admission, our military industrial production capacity is strained, with defense contractors unable to ramp up production fast enough to backfill U.S. weapons supplies.
Fighting in Ukraine has shifted to the eastern part of the country. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER
Russias arsenal is similarly declining. Having launched some 4,000 missiles, Moscow is buying drones from Iran and artillery shells from North Korea. Its military industrial production capacity is hampered by sanctions, since Russia relies on foreign high-tech components like microchips, semiconductors, connectors, transistors and other parts for weapons development.
Chinas grand plan is to become the dominant world power by 2049, replacing the United States both economically and militarily. Xi has recently all but secured a life-long presidency, having won a third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party. His aggressive rhetoric on the subject ofthe "One China" policy suggests he may choose to establish control overTaiwan by military forcein the near term rather than by gradual integration.
In this April 12, 2018, file photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks after reviewing the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet in the South China Sea. (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP, File)
During a recent visit to Chinas armed forces operational command center,Xi directed Chinas military to be ready for war.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"The entire military must concentrate all energy on fighting a war, direct all work towards warfare and speed up to build the ability to win," Xi said.
As the war in Ukraine depletes Moscow and Washingtons weaponry stocks, Xi is surely feeling better about such preparations. The time for the monkey to safely descend into the valley may be coming.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM REBEKAH KOFFLER
Here is the original post:
China is winning the Russia-Ukraine War amid massive US, Russia war ...
- Russia Doing Everything to Stop Ukraines Counteroffensive, Zelensky Says - The New York Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- An Arctic 'Great Game' as NATO allies and Russia face off in far north - The Washington Post - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Trouble in Paradise? New Disputes Cloud Russia-Turkey Relations - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- What We Know About the Crimea Bridge Attack - The New York Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Russia Looks to Economic Redistribution to Shore Up the Regime - The Moscow Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Biden and emissary for Pope Francis to meet on Russia's deportations of Ukrainian children - POLITICO - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Russia: Ukraine to blame for fatal attack on key bridge in Crimea - The Hill - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Opinion | How Putin Broke Russia - The New York Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Explosions on Crimean Bridge Disrupt Key Link to Russia - The New York Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Moscow halts grain deal in what UN calls a global blow to people in need - Yahoo News - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Explosions disrupt traffic on a key bridge from Crimea to Russia's mainland - NPR - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Ukrainian helicopter crew say women flash them as they fly overhead to boost their morale fighting Russia - Yahoo News - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Russia halts traffic over Crimea bridge after Ukrainian attack - Financial Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Key Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2 - Yahoo News - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- The bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia's war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow's control - Yahoo News - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Russia's Embassy in Washington is enmeshed in a different kind of war. - The New York Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- A deal that lets Ukraine export grain during its war with Russia is about to expire - NPR - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- China and Russia to Hold Joint Naval Drills - The Moscow Times - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- UK announces new sanctions in response to Russia's forced ... - GOV.UK - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Russia Looks to Economic Redistribution to Shore Up the Regime - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - July 17th, 2023 [July 17th, 2023]
- Raiffeisen Bank Hopes War Ends 'Soon' to Avoid Costly Russia Exit Reuters - The Moscow Times - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Ex-Wagner Group soldier on the failed rebellion in Russia, Prigozhin fallout - Yahoo News - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Who Is Aleksandr Lukashenko? - The New York Times - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Photos Leak of Russias Mercenary Boss in Ridiculous Disguises - Yahoo! Voices - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- U.S. is expected to announce it will send cluster munitions to Ukraine - NPR - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- The Russia-Ukraine War Changed This Finland Company Forever - The New York Times - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Russia is split, chain of command crumbles Zelenskyy - Yahoo News - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Russia Now Using Parachute Flares In Attempts To Down U.S. MQ-9 Reapers - The War Zone - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Explosions in Lviv in Western Ukraine Injure at Least 4 - The New York Times - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Pentagon Aims to Stop China and Russia from Spying on Academia | Air & Space Forces Magazine - Air & Space Forces Magazine - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Putin says Russia positions nuclear bombs in Belarus as warning to West - Reuters - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Russia says it destroyed Leopard tanks, it turned out to be tractors - Euronews - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- The Straits Times - Peace is not 'no war' and derisking has risks: Josep Borrell | EEAS - EEAS - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Russia's latest space agency mission: raising a militia for the war in Ukraine - Financial Times - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Blinken: US has no reason to adjust nuclear posture over Russias weapons transfer to Belarus - The Hill - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Orbn still vetoing EU's Russia sanctions over bank insult - EUobserver - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Putin's Silence Heralds the Return of Russia's Governors as a Political Force - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- How Russia Went from Ally to Adversary - The New Yorker - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Opinion | Joining NATO Wont Keep the Peace in Ukraine - The New York Times - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Putin touts Russian economy as Western investors steer clear of St. Petersburg event - The Associated Press - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Decoding the Antiwar Messages of Miniature Protesters in Russia - The New York Times - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Putin says Russia has sent first nuclear weapons to Belarus - Yahoo News - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Ukraine war: 'Extremely fierce battles', Azov fighters on trial, Russia strikes Kryvyi Rih - Euronews - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Captured Ukrainian soldiers face trial in Russia - The Associated Press - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Moscow: The Mausoleum of Russian Liberalism - Center for European Policy Analysis - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- House rejects effort to censure and fine Democrat Adam Schiff over Trump-Russia investigations - The Associated Press - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- U.S. Warnings to China on Arms Aid for Russias War Portend Global Rift ... - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- Russia - History | Britannica - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- Russian Empire - Wikipedia - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- Russia Travel Guide | Places to Visit in Russia | Rough Guides - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- China hits back at U.S. allegations it is providing Russia help in its war in Ukraine - NBC News - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- Russia | History, Flag, Population, Map, President, & Facts - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- United States tells citizens: Leave Russia immediately | Reuters - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Nearly Russia's entire army is in Ukraine, suffering '1st World War ... - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Russia warns United States: we have the might to put you in your place - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Why is South Africa's navy joining exercises with Russia and China? - BBC - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy rules out giving up any territory to Putin in potential peace deal as it happened - The Guardian - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Russia 'Quickly Running Out' of Weapons Putin Needs in Ukraine: General - January 2nd, 2023 [January 2nd, 2023]
- Russia - United States Department of State - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Russias Lavrov closes door on EU and turns to 'like-minded' allies - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Russia's Lavrov: Either Ukraine fulfils Moscow's proposals or our army ... - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- What is 'Satan II,' Russia's new nuclear missile? - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Russias Cyberwar Foreshadowed Deadly Attacks on Civilians - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Second sudden death of top official reported in Russia's military supply chain in less than a week - Fox News - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Demographics of Russia - Wikipedia - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Russia warns US military aid to Ukraine will escalate conflict as ... - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Putin says Russia ready to negotiate over Ukraine | Reuters - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Putin says Russia ready to negotiate over Ukraine, Kyiv says Moscow ... - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Russia-Ukraine war live: Putin said Russia ready to negotiate over ... - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Russian language | Origin, History, Dialects, & Facts | Britannica - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Culture of Russia - Wikipedia - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- After Zelenskyy visit, Russia accuses U.S. of fighting a proxy war in ... - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Russia - Geography - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Putin ready for talks as Russian missiles rain down on Ukraine - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Federal subjects of Russia - Wikipedia - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Russia - International Trade Administration - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Flag of Russia - Wikipedia - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Live updates | Russia-Ukraine War - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Russia - Sanctions Framework - International Trade Administration - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Putin Wants Fealty, and Hes Found It in Africa - The New York Times - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]