Small Drones Are Giving Ukraine an Unprecedented Edge
WiredSep 09, 2022
Day 72: US Intel Helped Ukraine Sink Russian Warship; Reports of Assaults on Mariupol Steel Plant Amid Evacuations
Image copyright: OSINT Technical [via NBC News]
The Facts
A day after the New York Times said that US intelligence helped Ukrainian troops target and kill Russian generals, it was further alleged that it also helped sink Russia's Moskva warship – the flagship of its Black Sea Fleet that was struck by 2 anti-ship missiles on Apr. 14.
It comes as several US officials pushed back against the earlier reports. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said: "The headline of this [NYT] story is misleading and the way it is framed is irresponsible. The United States provides battlefield intelligence to help the Ukrainians defend their country. We do not provide intelligence with the intent to kill Russian generals."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
US military support for Ukraine, including intelligence sharing, has been a crucial part of shattering Putin's ambitions of a swift victory and has been instrumental in holding back Russian advances. The US must support Ukraine as long as necessary.
Establishment-critical narrative
Russia has long been aware of America's intelligence sharing with Ukraine, in addition to that of Britain and other NATO countries. This, alongside Western weapons, has only served to drag out the conflict, leading to further unnecessary bloodshed.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.